Heat torture continues for Indian capital Delhi; rain predicted for some areas in coming days

Delhi on Tuesday (May 28) recorded its hottest day of the season so far, with mercury rising to 45.8 degrees Celsius- the third day in a row that the temperature in the city has crossed the 45-degree mark.

Delhi had recorded a high of 45.1°C on Monday, and 45.4°C on Sunday, the previous highs for the season.

The summer saga in Delhi and NCR, or national capital reigion, didn't stop here.

In Narela and Mungeshpur, two weather stations in outer Delhi, the temperature came close to breaching the 50-degree mark on Tuesday, with a maximum temperature of 49.9°C. This is the highest-ever maximum temperature recorded at an observatory in the Capital.

The previous highest maximum at a Delhi station was 49.2°C at Mungeshpur in May 2022, officials said.

Cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) saw the same streak of rising temperatures, with Faridabad recording a harrowing maximum of 48.4°C, followed by Noida at 47.3°C, Gurugram at 47°C, and Ghaziabad at 45.6°C.

The sweltering weather in the Capital is primarily driven by the dry and hot westerly winds, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said Tuesday.

Rains might bring some respite

The Met department has forecast similar weather to prevail in Delhi-NCR on Wednesday as well. But a possible dip in the temperatures is expected on Thursday, triggered by a western disturbance.

IMD also predicted a slight chance of drizzle in some parts of Delhi-NCR on Friday and Saturday, which might bring down the temperature further.

Dry and hot winds from the arid western part of the country, combined with a clear sky, led to a temperature soar on Tuesday in Delhi-NCR, as per IMD officials.

“As temperatures are beginning to rise in the western part of the country, particularly Rajasthan, we are seeing some impact on Delhi too, particularly its western side. Dry, hot westerly winds are blowing from Rajasthan towards Delhi and we also have clear skies in Delhi for the last few days. This is what is leading to such extreme high temperatures,” said Kuldeep Srivastava, a scientist at IMD.

Heatwave or heatwave-like conditions were recorded across Delhi-NCR, starting from Sunday.

IMD classifies it as a heatwave over any region when the maximum temperature is 4.5°C above normal and also above 40°C. It is a "severe heatwave" when the maximum is 6.5°C or more above normal.

(With inputs from agencies)