Parts of Delhi record heatwave, mercury touches 46 degrees

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) records a heatwave when the maximum temperature is 45 degrees or more. A heatwave may also be recorded when the maximum temperature is 40 degrees or more and 4.5 to 6.4 degrees above the normal. “Qualitatively, a heatwave is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to the human body when exposed,” according to the IMD.

The maximum temperature at the Safdarjung weather station on Monday was 43.7 degrees Celsius, three degrees above the normal or the long-period average for this time of the year. This is the highest maximum temperature recorded so far this season at the observatory, which serves as a marker for the city.

The observatories at Narela, Pitampura and Pusa also recorded maximum temperatures slightly above 45 degrees on Monday – 45.8 degrees at Pitampura and Pusa, and 45.3 degrees at Narela.

The observatories that recorded maximum temperatures over 45 degrees are all automatic weather stations. Delhi has five manual observatories, different from the automatic ones – Safdarjung, Lodhi Road, Ridge, Ayanagar and IGI Airport at Palam.

While another warm day with a maximum temperature of 43 degrees is likely on Tuesday, overcast skies, along with light rainfall and thundershowers are expected in Delhi-NCR on May 24 and 25. Gusty winds of around 40 to 45 kmph are likely, with an active western disturbance affecting the region, said IMD scientist Kuldeep Srivastava. The impact of the western disturbance on Delhi-NCR is likely to be strong on May 24 and 25, but very light rainfall remains on the forecast for the national capital on May 26 and 27.

The IMD has issued a ‘yellow’ warning for Delhi on May 24 and 25. This is an alert to ‘be aware’. An IMD bulletin issued on Monday said a western disturbance is likely to move over northwest India from May 23 onwards, and it will be accompanied by moisture supply from the Arabian Sea, contributing to rainfall over the region. The IMD forecast also points to the possibility of hailstorm over parts of Delhi, Chandigarh and Haryana on May 24.

The maximum temperature is set to remain below 40 degrees from May 24 to 28, going by the forecast.