The high heatwave troubling Delhi for the last two days is predicted to worsen today, with the India Meteorological Department or IMD issuing an ‘orange’ alert, warning that the mercury may soar to 46-47 degrees Celsius in parts of the city. On Friday, Delhi saw the mercury rise to 46.1 degrees Celsius at Najafgarh. The weather stations at Jafarpur and Mungeshpur had recorded maximum temperatures of 45.6 degrees Celsius and 45.4 degrees Celsius, respectively, six notches above normal for this time of the year. While the maximum temperature at the Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi’s base station, is predicted to settle at 44 degrees Celsius, almost 2° more as compared to 42.5°C on Friday.
On Friday, the weather stations at Jafarpur and Mungeshpur had recorded maximum temperatures of 45.6°C and 45.4°C, six notches above normal for this time of the year, whereas Delhi’s Pitampura also reeled under heatwave conditions, recording a maximum temperature of 44.7°C. A ‘yellow’ alert has already been issued to caution people about a heatwave on Sunday.
The IMD uses four colour codes for weather warnings – green (no action needed), yellow (watch and stay updated), orange (be prepared) and red (take action). Though, as per the prediction, cloudy skies and thunder may provide some relief from the intense heat next week. This is the fifth heatwave in the capital this summer. Delhi had recorded its second hottest April this year since 1951 with a monthly average maximum temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius. A heatwave at the month-end had sent the mercury soaring to 46 and 47 degrees Celsius in several parts of the city.
“The temperature on Friday was almost similar to Thursday. However, Najafgarh crossed the 46-degree mark. According to the forecast, Saturday is expected to record the highest maximum temperature compared to Friday and Sunday. From Monday, Delhi will witness cloudy skies and thunder, which will bring down the maximum temperature to 41-42°C,” said RK Jenamani, senior scientist at IMD.
