Delhi weather: City melts as Tuesday records ‘warmest’ day of the year yet; IMD issues heatwave alert

NEW DELHI: The city experienced the warmest day of the year as the temperature rose marginally, bringing more areas of the national capital under the grip of a heatwave. The heat index, or "feel-like" temperature, was recorded at 47.7 degrees Celsius due to low humidity.The Met has, forecast that the extreme heat will persist on Wednesday, issuing an orange alert for the heatwave. "Heat wave conditions reported over Delhi—Lodhi Road, Ridge, Ayanagar with the highest maximum of 45.5 degrees Celsius over Ayanagar," said Krishna Mishra, weather scientist at IMD. He added that the impact of the heatwave extended by Tuesday, with severe heatwaves in Jammu and Kashmir and many parts of Himachal Pradesh as well.The maximum temperature at Safdarjung, the city base weather station, was recorded at 43.8 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal, making Tuesday the warmest day of the year. The maximum temperature a day earlier was 43.4 degrees Celsius, which is now the second highest. Earlier on May 16, the maximum temperature reached 42.3 degrees Celsius, now the third highest. The humidity also reduced due to more dry and warm westerly winds, oscillating between 24% and 48%.

According to IMD forecast, heatwave conditions will persist through Wednesday, with relief anticipated from Friday due to potential increased moisture levels in the region, which could bring thunderstorms and rainfall. Among other hot areas of the city, Ayanagar recorded 45.5 degrees Celsius, Ridge recorded 45 degrees Celsius, Palam recorded 44.6 degrees Celsius, Pitampura recorded 44.8 degrees Celsius, and Lodhi Road recorded 43.6 degrees Celsius, respectively.

By the norms of IMD, a heatwave in plain areas is declared when the maximum temperature is either 45 degrees Celsius or above, or when it's above 40 degrees Celsius with a departure above 4.5 notches above normal. By this definition, three city areas, including Lodhi Road (departure 4.6 notches), suffered a heatwave.The Met department has forecast a heatwave warning until Wednesday, expecting the maximum temperature to hover around 44 to 46 degrees Celsius.

Hot and dry winds likely to gust up to 40 km/h may spike the discomfort. "A drop in temperature is expected from June 13, as regions will get moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, which will confluence over the plains of north-west India. Hence, some thunder activity may occur over the region. Some areas may see relief from June 12, eastern UP and Uttarakhand may see relief from June 11. There are also chances of heavy rain between June 12 and 15 in parts of Uttarakhand," said Mishra.Meanwhile, the city's air quality remained poor. The air quality index (AQI) on Tuesday was 217 against 235 a day earlier.