The national capital witnessed a sharp dip in the minimum temperature on Tuesday, which was recorded at 20.9 degrees Celsius, 5.3 notches below normal. In comparison, the minimum temperature on Monday was recorded at 26.2 degrees Celsius, the highest in the last six years for this time of the year. A similar temperature was last observed in 2022, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The maximum temperature on Tuesday was recorded at 39.9 degrees Celsius, which is 2.2 degrees above normal. Humidity levels fluctuated between 17 and 26 per cent during the day. Several weather-monitoring stations in the city also recorded high daytime temperatures. The Ridge reported 41.7 degrees Celsius, Aya Nagar logged 41.1 degrees, Narela reported 40 degrees, and Palam recorded 40.5 degrees Celsius, according to the weather office.
“There has been markedly fall in minimum temperatures and no large change in maximum temperatures over Delhi during the past 24 hours. The Maximum and Minimum temperatures are in the range of 40 to 42 degrees Celsius and 18 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively. The minimum temperatures are appreciably below normal,” the IMD said.
Residents of the national capital are finding no relief even after sunset, with night-time temperatures is still above the normal. Experts believe the intensity of heat during the night is proving more harmful than high daytime temperatures. This April has already recorded two unusually warm nights. The damage from these warm nights is not only to the body but also to the economy. A CSE report pointed out that “India is projected to lose 5.8 per cent of working hours in 2030, a productivity loss that is equivalent to 34 million full-time jobs due to global warming.” High night-time heat pushes people to use more cooling equipment like air conditioners, which in turn release more heat, thus feeding into a vicious cycle of rising power demand and rising temperature.
For Wednesday, the IMD has forecast clear skies with sustained surface winds blowing at speeds between 10 to 20 kmph. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 41 and 23 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘poor’ category on Tuesday, with the air quality index (AQI) at 227 at 4 pm, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.
