No respite for Delhities even in the early morning, as the minimum temperature of the national Capital on Sunday settled at 32.8 degrees Celsius, which is five notches above the normal for this time of year. The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi's base station, recorded a maximum temperature of 43.9 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert, warning of a heatwave in parts of Delhi on Monday.
The maximum temperature settled at 46.7 degrees Celsius at the Sports Complex automatic weather station near the Akshardham temple, making it the hottest place in the city.Najafgarh, Mungeshpur, Pitampura, and Ridge stations recorded a high of 46.4 degrees Celsius, 46.2 degrees Celsius, 45.8 degrees Celsius and 45.8 degrees Celsius, respectively.
However, the minimum temperature on Saturday was 29.7 degrees Celsius, which was two notches warmer.
The relative humidity in Delhi on Sunday at 8:30 in the morning was recorded at 29 per cent and 20 per cent at 5:30 in the evening, at Safdarjung observatory. The IMD said that the heat wave conditions are likely to continue in isolated pockets over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and southeast Uttar Pradesh during the next two days and abatement.
“No significant change in maximum temperatures very likely over Northwest India during next two days and gradual fall by two-three degree Celsius,” the weather station said.
The IMD predicted that on 13th-14th June, Delhi will witness a partly clouded sky with the possibility of the development of thunder lightning, and heat wave at isolated places, while the maximum temperature will shoot up to 43 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature will come down to 32 degree Celsius.
“On June 15th, the city’s maximum temperature will settle at 41 degrees Celsius despite the generally clouded sky with light rain or drizzle and strong surface winds during day time. However, the minimum temperature will be 32 degrees Celsius,” predicted the metrological department.
On June 16th, the IMD predicted a thunderstorm with rain in the national capital but still, the maximum temperature will be above 40 degrees Celsius and the minimum will be 32 degrees Celsius.
Kamal Jain, a resident of Preet Vihar, said the temperature of the city is unbearable. “I own a confectionery shop, but it has become very difficult for me to sit at the shop during the day time. Yesterday, I had a heat stroke and my stomach is still not well, but it is my compulsion to open the shop to earn my livelihood.
“I hope that the monsoon season comes as soon as possible.” Last year, the IMD had forecast that the monsoon would arrive in Delhi nearly two weeks before its usual date. However, it reached the capital only on July 13, making it the most delayed in 19 years.
The Delhities may get some respite from the heat wave from 17th June as there will be a slight drop in the maximum temperature and will fall to 38-39 degrees Celsius, IMD further predicted.
Meanwhile, the city’s peak power demand on Sunday cloaked 6835 MW at 5:10 in the evening. Delhi witnessed the peak power demand of 7166 MW on June 9, which is the highest this year.
