Delhi gets respite from heatwaves as maximum temperature drops below 40°C after 40 days

Delhi weather: The heat index dipped six degrees on Saturday. The IMD predicts a generally cloudy sky with the possibility of light rain on Sunday.

At least 90 deaths due to heatstroke were reported, and over 448 patients were admitted to various government hospitals in the capital. (Express file photo)

The maximum temperature in Delhi dropped to 39.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday. This dip below 40 degrees Celsius brought relief to the capital for the first time in 40 days after being gripped under intense heatwave conditions for the past few weeks.

After May 14, when the maximum temperature recorded was 40.2 degrees Celsius, the maximum temperature rose, giving way to consecutive heatwave days from May 27. This month, there were more than seven days of heatwaves with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius. At least 90 deaths due to heatstroke were reported, and over 448 patients were admitted to various government hospitals in the capital.

On Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects a generally cloudy sky with the possibility of light rain in Delhi. According to its weekly forecast, thunderstorms and rain will occur for the next few days, along with a generally cloudy sky.

The relative humidity on Saturday remained between 45 and 78 per cent, bringing the heat index to 47 degrees Celsius. The heat index, or apparent temperature, measures what the human body ‘feels like when relative humidity adds up to temperature levels. It is measured by a method formulated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. On Friday, the heat index was 53 degrees Celsius, six degrees Celsius higher than Saturday.

Also read | Heatwave takes its toll, 34 deaths reported in Capital

The minimum temperature recorded in Safdarjung base station was 29.6 degrees Celsius, which is two notches above the season’s normal reading.

A scattered to fairly widespread rain is predicted over Northwest India for Sunday. According to the regional Met forecast for Delhi, the maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 40 and 30 degrees Celsius, respectively. The IMD has predicted heatwave conditions to be very likely over Punjab-Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi for Monday and Tuesday and to abate thereafter.

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