Heatwaves sizzle India: Delhi feels like 50 degrees, Nainital swelters; slight relief expected soon

Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab in the north have been sweltering in an intense heatwave over the last week, spurring the red alert from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for them.

Temperatures are soaring above the 46 degrees mark across north India, including in Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand.

Meanwhile, in the national capital, the maximum temperature is likely to settle at around 45 degrees Celsius, over 6 degrees higher than the normal temperature for June.

According to the weather office, the heat index, or the 'feels-like' temperature in Delhi surged to 50 degrees Celsius on Monday.

Scattered rains and dust storms from Wednesday are expected to bring slight relief to the national capital. However, a long-term reprieve is unlikely for now.

No escape for hill stations: Heatwave sizzles Uttarakhand, J&K

In Uttarakhand, even the most-visited hill stations likes of Dehradun recorded a maximum temperature of 43.1 degrees Celsius while Mussorie sizzled at 43 degrees Celsius.

With little to no rainfall for three months, even hill towns like Pauri and Nainital are experiencing a heatwave.

A similar scene is visible in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh, which is blazing at 44 degrees, 6.7 degrees above average.

Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, Katra recorded a maximum temperature of 40.8 degrees Celsius and the mercury touched 44.3 degrees in Jammu.

When to expect respite from the heatwave?

A respite from the sweeping heatwave was expected this week but a shift in winds through the Arabian Sea has delayed the cooling down of the plains, said former IMD Director General, KJ Ramesh.

"Another reason is that the monsoon is stagnant over West Bengal since June 1. As long as monsoon does not cover these areas, north India will remain under a continuous heatwave," he said.

Watch:Northern Indian heatwave grips Punjab, Haryana, Delhi & Bihar

Though Delhi might experience some "intermittent relief" due to duststorms and scattered showers, they can only provide relief "for a few hours or half a day", he added.

According to the weather office, a fresh western disturbance will approach northwest India after Wednesday, also affecting Delhi and bringing relief from the intense heat.

"Real abatement of heat will occur only once monsoon arrives," Ramesh said, adding that it will take more than 12 days for monsoon to reach Delhi.

"After June 27, most areas of Uttar Pradesh will get relief followed by western UP, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)