Delhi and its neighbouring regions — Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad — continue to reel under intense heatwave conditions, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that temperatures in the national capital could touch a dangerous 46 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
The weather department has placed Delhi under an orange alert for the next five days as temperatures are expected to remain extremely high across the city and the surrounding NCR regions. Several parts of Delhi-NCR have been witnessing scorching daytime heat and unusually warm nights over the past few days.
Due to worsening weather conditions, the IMD upgraded its warning level from a yellow alert to an orange alert on Wednesday.
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What does IMD’s orange alert mean?
An orange alert issued by the IMD advises residents to stay prepared and take precautions, as severe weather conditions may disrupt daily life. The alert also warns of a higher risk of heat-related illnesses, especially among children, elderly people, outdoor workers, and those with existing medical conditions.
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Authorities have advised people to avoid stepping out during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, and limit strenuous outdoor activities.
Severe heatwave conditions likely to continue
According to the IMD forecast, Delhi’s maximum temperature may touch 46 degrees Celsius on May 21 and 22. Between May 23 and May 26, temperatures are expected to remain between 44 and 45 degrees Celsius, offering little relief from the ongoing heatwave.
The weather office said there is unlikely to be any significant change in maximum or minimum temperatures over the next seven days. Daytime temperatures are expected to stay above 43 degrees Celsius throughout the week.
The IMD further stated that Delhi, along with Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, is likely to experience severe heatwave conditions accompanied by strong surface winds during afternoon and evening hours.
Delhi records hottest May night in nearly 14 years
Delhi also recorded its warmest May night in nearly 14 years, with the minimum temperature settling at 31.9 degrees Celsius on Thursday, according to the IMD.
The last time the city recorded a higher minimum temperature in May was on May 26, 2012, when the minimum temperature stood at 32.5 degrees Celsius.
Safdarjung and Lodhi Road were among the weather stations that reported warm night conditions.
According to IMD guidelines, a warm night is declared when the maximum temperature remains at or above 40 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature is 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius above normal.
When will Delhi get relief from the heat?
For now, there appears to be no immediate relief from the searing temperatures. The IMD has forecast that heatwave conditions may continue until at least May 26.
The department officially declares a heatwave when the maximum temperature crosses 40 degrees Celsius and remains at least 4.5 degrees Celsius above normal levels.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh’s Banda recorded the country’s highest temperature at 48 degrees Celsius on Wednesday as extreme heat conditions continued across northern India.
