The national Capital on Monday reeled under the season's first highest temperature crossing the 40 degree Celsius mark at Safdarjung, 5.1 degrees above normal, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to extend a yellow alert in place in the Capital for the next two days.
The other monitoring stations in the city, including Ridge and Ayanagar, also recorded maximum temperatures above the 40-degree mark at 41 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature in Lodhi Road was recorded at 39.6 degree Celsius. The temperature in Palam rose to 39.5 degrees Celsius, exceeding the seasonal average by four degrees.
“There will be no respite from the heat wave conditions over Gujarat, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, East Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh for the next four days warned by the IMD.
For Tuesday, the weather office has forecast a clear sky with heatwave conditions. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 41 degrees Celsius, and the minimum around 22 degrees Celsius.
According to IMD, the Capital is currently under a yellow alert, which will remain in place for the next two days. In IMD’s colour code, a yellow alert stands for “Be Aware” and advises people to avoid heat exposure, wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose cotton clothes, and cover their heads with a cloth, hat or umbrella.
“Three stations — Safdarjung, Ridge and Ayanagar — met the heatwave criteria today, marking the first day of heatwave conditions this season. “These conditions are likely to continue until April 9. From April 10 onwards, a drop in temperature is expected over Northwest India, including Delhi,” the IMD said in a statement.
People have been advised to avoid heat exposure, wear lightweight and breathable cotton clothing and cover their heads with a cloth or umbrella outdoors. The weather department has issued a warning for severe heat and heatstroke, suggesting that conditions may become even more challenging in the coming days. According to IMD data, the maximum temperature in Delhi usually touches 40 degrees Celsius during the second half of April.
In the national Capital, the temperatures have risen sharply in the first week of April, increasing by 3 to 6.9 degrees. According to the IMD, daytime heatstroke has begun in Delhi-NCR, making the heat more intense. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius. On Sunday, Safdarjung, the city’s main weather station, recorded a high of 38.2 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal. On Saturday, the maximum was 35.7 degrees. The highest temperature recorded this season at Safdarjung was 39 degrees on April 3.
The Met Department declares a heatwave when the maximum temperature is at least 40 degrees Celsius (°C), and is also 4.5°C or more above normal. Alternatively, any day when the maximum crosses 45°C or higher also qualifies as a heatwave. A “severe heatwave” is one where the maximum is 6.5°C above normal.Historically, the bulk of
Delhi’s heatwave days fall between mid-April and early June. IMD records show no heatwave at Safdarjung in April last year, although five such days were logged in May.
Meanwhile, April 2023 too remained heatwave-free, however, Delhi residents endured nine hot days in April 2022, according to data.Historical data also shows the maximum has crossed 40°C in every April since 2012, when the highest maximum in the month was only 38.7°C.
Last April, the highest maximum was 40.5°C (April 5). In 2023, it was 40.6°C (April 18) and 43.5°C in 2022 (April 29 and 30). The all-time high for April is 45.6°C, which came on April 29, 1941, IMD data showed
Last year, India recorded its hottest day ever at 50.5 Celsius in Rajasthan state. More than 40,000 suspected cases of heatstroke were also reported. One weather station in Delhi in May recorded a maximum temperature of 52.9 degree Celsius, although the government later said it was due to a sensor error and revised it down by 3 degree Celsius. Nearly 150 people died due to the heatwave in 2024, according to official data but independent researchers said the toll was much higher.
