Delhi-NCR is currently experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures surpassing 45°C at several weather stations. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued ‘red’ and ‘orange’ alerts due to the record-breaking temperatures, which are exacerbated by dry, hot westerly winds, direct sunlight, and poor air quality. The IMD is closely monitoring the situation.
Heatwave in Delhi-NCR
For the second consecutive day, Delhi-NCR remained under a heatwave as temperatures soared past 45°C at 10 stations on Saturday. Mungeshpur in northwest Delhi recorded the highest temperature at 46.8°C.
The heatwave is expected to persist into the next week, with maximum temperatures predicted to hover around 45°C for the coming seven days. Some stations may even see temperatures rise by one to two degrees.
The IMD has issued a ‘red’ alert for Sunday and an ‘orange’ alert from May 20 to 22.
Temperature Exceeds 45°C at Multiple Stations
On Saturday, temperatures crossed 45°C at 10 weather stations in and around the city. The IMD, while issuing a red alert, warned that “there is a very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages” on Sunday.
Safdarjung, the city’s base station, recorded a maximum temperature of 43.7°C on Saturday, three degrees above normal and the highest this season so far. On Friday, Safdarjung reported a temperature of 43.6°C.
Temperatures at other stations included 45.5°C at Ridge in north Delhi, 45.2°C at Ayanagar, 45°C in Gurgaon, 45.8°C in Faridabad, 45.6°C at Jafarpur in southwest Delhi, 46.8°C in Mungeshpur, 46.7°C in Najafgarh, 45.6°C in Noida, 46.1°C in Pitampura, and 46°C in Pusa. On Friday, Najafgarh was the hottest station in the country at 47.4°C.
Criteria for Heatwave and Severe Heatwave
According to the IMD, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature reaches 45°C or above. Additionally, a heatwave day is noted when the maximum temperature is 4.5 degrees or more above normal and at least 40°C. A ‘severe’ heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature is 6.5 degrees or more above normal.
Causes and Historical Data
Met officials attribute the high temperatures to dry and hot westerly winds, direct sunlight, and a lack of moisture. “As per Delhi’s climatology, the peak temperature is recorded during this time of the year,” said an official. IMD data shows that on May 15, 2022, Mungeshpur recorded a temperature of 49.2°C.
“Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue over the plains of northwest India, including Delhi, during the next five days,” stated the IMD in its bulletin.
The IMD advises people to avoid heat exposure, stay cool, and drink plenty of water even if they are not thirsty.
In summer 2023, Safdarjung did not experience a heatwave, although some stations did for 3-5 days. The year 2022 had the longest streak of heatwaves, with nine days in April and four in May at Safdarjung.
Air Quality
The minimum temperature on Saturday was 27.1°C, one degree above normal. Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category for the fifth consecutive day. The air quality index (AQI) was 261 on Saturday, compared to 231 the previous day. The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, part of the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, noted that calm, light winds were blowing in the city at night.
The AQI is expected to stay in the ‘poor’ category for the next seven days.