Delhi weather update: Delhi on Tuesday recorded its highest maximum temperature of the season at 43.8 degrees Celsius. With heatwave conditions gripping the capital, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the extreme heat is expected to continue in the coming days.
The weather observatory has also issued an orange alert for heatwave for Delhi on Wednesday, June 11, with the maximum temperature for the days forecasted to reach 44-46 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, hot and humid conditions have been predicted for Thursday, June 12, with the maximum temperature expected to dip by four notches, as compared to Wednesday.
IMD weather forecast for Delhi
There may be some relief starting June 13, with the IMD forecasting light rainfall and thunderstorms in parts of Delhi, along with gusty winds between 40 and 50 kmph.
What is a heatwave?
As per the MeT department, a heatwave is declared when the temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius and is around 4.5 degrees Celsius higher from normal, or the maximum crosses the 45-degree mark – which was the case with Delhi’s Ayanagar today.
Delhi records season’s hottest day
On Tuesday, Delhi reeled under an intense heatwave clocking its highest temperature of the season at a blistering 43.8°C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Tuesday’s temperature was 3.6 degrees above the average for this time of year. The heat index, or real-feel temperature, soared to an extreme 47.1°C, leaving little room for relief.
Safdarjung, the base observatory of Delhi, on Tuesday recorded a maximum temperature of 43.8 degrees Celsius, while the other monitoring stations, including Lodhi Road, Ridge, and Ayanagar, recorded heatwave conditions, with the latter recording a high of 45.5 degrees Celsius.
The capital has also been facing unusually warm nights, with temperatures staying high even after sunset, which makes it difficult for people to cool off and raises the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly for the elderly, young children, and those with existing health conditions.