With temperatures soaring, heatwave conditions are likely in isolated places in Delhi on Saturday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast. The maximum temperature is likely to be 41 degrees Celsius on Saturday, more than the 39.4 degrees Celsius recorded on Friday at the Safdarjung weather station. The maximum temperature on Friday was three degrees above the normal for this time of the year. The highest maximum temperature recorded in Delhi on Friday was 41.9 degrees Celsius at the CWG Sports Complex near Akshardham. This was followed by 41.4 degrees at Pitampura, and 40.8 degrees at Najafgarh and the Ridge. The normal maximum temperature, calculated as a long-period average, at Safdarjung for April 14 and 15 is 36.1 degrees Celsius. With heatwave expected in some parts on Saturday, the IMD has issued a “yellow” alert, which is a warning to be aware. In terms of temperature, the IMD records a heatwave when the maximum temperature is 40 degrees or more and is 4.5 to 6.4 degrees above the normal. In terms of impact, IMD defines a heatwave as a condition when the air temperature becomes “fatal to the human body when exposed”. A yellow alert in case of a heatwave means that “heat is tolerable for the general public but of moderate health concern for vulnerable people” such as infants, elderly people, and those with chronic diseases. The IMD suggests avoiding heat exposure, and advises wearing light weight and light-coloured clothes. The IMD forecast for Delhi indicates that the maximum temperature is likely to remain at 41 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
