Delhi Heatwave: IMD declares ‘red alert’ for today

PTC News Desk: There is a severe heatwave now affecting Delhi-NCR, with multiple meteorological stations reporting temperatures above 45°C.

Due to the record-breaking temperatures, which are made worse by dry, hot westerly winds, direct sunlight, and poor air quality, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued “red” and “orange” alerts. The IMD is keeping a careful eye on everything.

Delhi-NCR is experiencing a heatwave

At 10 stations on Saturday, the temperature reached over 45°C, extending Delhi-NCR’s heatwave for a second day in a row. With a temperature of 46.8°C, Mungeshpur in northwest Delhi had the highest reading.

With maximum temperatures likely to stay around 45°C for the next seven days, the heatwave is predicted to last into the next week. Temperature increases of one to two degrees may even be observed at some locations.

A “red” notice for Sunday and a “orange” alert for May 20–22 have been released by the IMD.

Temperatures at Several Stations Exceed 45°C

Temperatures at ten meteorological stations in and around the city exceeded 45°C on Saturday. “There is a very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages” on Sunday, the IMD cautioned, in addition to issuing a red alert.

The hottest temperature of the season so far was recorded on Saturday at 43.7°C, three degrees above average, at Safdarjung, the city’s base station. Safdarjung recorded a temperature of 43.6°C on Friday.

Ayanagar, 45°C, Gurgaon, 45.8°C, Faridabad, 45.6°C, Jafarpur, southwest Delhi; Mungeshpur, 46.7°C, Najafgarh, 45.6°C, Noida, 46.1°C, Pitampura, and 46°C were the other stations’ temperatures. At 47.4°C on Friday, Najafgarh was the nation’s hottest station.

Heatwave and Severe Heatwave Requirements

The IMD states that when the high temperature exceeds 45°C or more, a heatwave is proclaimed. A day is also considered to be in a heatwave if the high is at least 40°C and 4.5 degrees above average. When the maximum temperature rises by 6.5 degrees or more above average, a heatwave is classified as “severe.”

Reasons and Past Information

The absence of precipitation, strong, dry westerly winds, and direct sunlight are the causes of the high temperatures, according to meteorologists. “This time of year is when Delhi’s climatology records its highest temperature,” an official stated. According to IMD statistics, Mungeshpur reported a temperature of 49.2°C on May 15, 2022.

The IMD said in its bulletin that “heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue over the plains of northwest India, including Delhi, during the next five days.”

Even if a person is not thirsty, the IMD nevertheless recommends staying cool, avoiding hot exposure, and drinking lots of water.

Safdarjung did not have a heatwave in the summer of 2023, while some stations did for three to five days. At Safdarjung, the longest heatwave run occurred in 2022, spanning nine days in April and four days in May.

Air Purity

On Saturday, the lowest temperature was 27.1°C, which is one degree more than usual. Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality continued to be classified as “poor” for a fifth day running.

On Saturday, the air quality index (AQI) was 261 as opposed to 231 on Friday. The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences’ Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi observed that the city was experiencing calm, light winds at night.

For the next seven days, the AQI is predicted to remain in the “poor” category.