English
English
English
Rising Temperatures to Trigger Heatwave Conditions by Friday
New Delhi: Delhi witnessed a sharp rise in temperatures on Wednesday with the maximum temperature climbing up to 40.7°C, surpassing the seasonal average by nearly 3 degrees. This marks the notable increase from Tuesday’s 38.8°C, reflecting a steady upward trend. Among various monitoring stations, the Ridge area recorded the highest temperature at 42.1°C, followed by Ayanagar at 41.4°C, indicating intense heat across multiple parts of the city.
IMD forecasts further rise in temperature
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected a continued increase in temperatures over the next few days. According to the officials, maximum temperatures are expected to rise by 2-3°C before stabilising. Daytime temperatures may reach 41-43°C on Thursday and peak at 42-44°C on Friday and Saturday. These conditions have prompted authorities to issue a yellow alert for potential heatwave conditions in isolated areas.
Understanding heatwave criteria
As per IMD guidelines, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature touches at least 40°C and is 4.5°C above normal levels. Alternatively, any temperature reaching or exceeding 45°C is automatically classified as a heatwave. Despite current conditions, Delhi has not recorded a heatwave day so far this April, unlike previous years such as 2022, which saw an extreme 11 heatwave days during the same period.
Rising night temperatures add to discomfort
While daytime heat remains the primary concern, minimum temperatures are also expected to rise. On Wednesday, the minimum temperature stood at 21.6°C, slightly below average. However, the forecasts suggest a gradual increase, with nighttime temperatures likely to reach around 27°C by Sunday, reducing relief from the heat.
Air quality deteriorates amid heat surges
In addition to rising temperatures, air quality in Delhi has worsened. The Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to 216, categorising it as ‘poor,’ compared to 177 recorded a day earlier. Experts indicate that the air quality may remain in the poor range on Thursday, with a slight improvement to ‘moderate’ levels expected by Friday.
