The national Capital region baked in extreme heat on Monday with the real-feel temperature — or heat index — ranging between 49 degrees Celsius to 51 degrees Celsius due to a combination of high temperature and humidity, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert for the next two days, warning people to stay cautious and take steps to protect themselves from the ongoing heatwave. Monday marked the second consecutive day of heatwave conditions in the region, including Delhi.
The IMD said Ayanagar was the hottest region in Delhi which recorded 45.3 degrees Celsius with the nighttime minimum recorded at 28 degrees Celsius, Ridge saw the maximum temperature of 44.9 degrees Celsius with night time minimum recording 25,9 degree Celsius. The maximum temperature ranged between 43.4 degrees Celsius and 45.3 Degrees Celsius — three to four degrees above normal in the national Capital. According to the IMD, very hot weather will persist in Delhi until at least June 12. The weather department has warned that temperatures may go up to 45 degrees and heat waves may be witnessed over the next three days. Earlier, the department had issued a yellow warning regarding the heat waves.
The hot days are also being followed by unusually warm nights, offering little respite from the heat. Experts say this raises the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly among children, the elderly, and people with existing health conditions.
The national Capital region (Delhi-NCR) witnessed an extremely uncomfortable night on Sunday as the humidity levels in the city soared to high levels across the national Capital. The humidity recorded in the city was at 70 per cent on Sunday night. As a result, although the temperature recorded at Safdarjung at 5.30 am was 28.6 degrees, it felt like 32 degrees. The average maximum temperature in the city touched 43.4 degrees Celsius on Monday, 3.4 degrees higher than the seasonal average. The minimum temperature settled at 27.6 degrees Celsius while humidity levels fluctuated between 48 and 25 per cent, making the weather feel even hotter. IMD said Palam recorded 44.3 degrees Celsius, followed by Lodhi Road 43.3 degrees Celsius. According to the IMD, relative humidity levels surged to 70per cent even as westerly winds persisted across the region.
Delhi is also experiencing warm nights with the temperature remaining high even after sunset. This can make it harder for people to cool down besides increasing the risk of heat-related illness, especially for the elderly, children, and those with health issues. There may be some relief starting June 12 with the IMD forecasting light rainfall and thunderstorms in parts of Delhi, along with gusty winds between 30 and 40 kmph. While the rain may not be heavy, it could bring about short-term relief from the excessive heat, IMD said. The humidity levels may increase after rain, which can make the weather feel uncomfortable, officials warned. The IMD has advised residents to remain alert for thunderstorms and strong winds during this period. It said that people should be cautious and take necessary precautions in view of (given) the heat wave conditions. The IMD issued a detailed weather advisory for the week of 9-15 June, forecasting a combination of heatwave conditions in northern India and heavy to extremely heavy rainfall with thunderstorms in southern and western regions. According to the IMD, southern India will witness widespread rainfall over the next seven days, including very heavy to extremely heavy downpours. The IMD has forecast heatwave conditions in Northwest India for the next four days, with isolated areas likely to experience severe heat. A red alert was issued for Western Rajasthan due to severe heatwave conditions and an orange alert has been issued for Eastern Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Not only the plain region but a yellow alert has been issued in Jammu and Kashmir for the next three days.
According to IMD, Thunderstorms with gusty winds (50-70 kmph) are expected in Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Interior Karnataka between 9 and 13 June. Western India, including Konkan and Goa, Marathwada, and Madhya Maharashtra, is forecast to receive very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall between 12 and 15 June, accompanied by gusty winds and thunder squalls.