Climate – Delhi Records Hottest May Night in Nearly Fourteen Years
Climate – Residents across the national capital experienced severe overnight heat on Thursday as temperatures remained unusually high even after sunset. The minimum temperature in the city settled at 31.9 degrees Celsius, which was 5.2 degrees above the seasonal average and marked the warmest May night recorded in Delhi in almost 14 years.
According to data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the last time Delhi witnessed a hotter May night was on May 26, 2012, when the minimum temperature reached 32.5 degrees Celsius. Weather officials have also warned that daytime conditions are expected to remain extremely harsh, with the maximum temperature likely to touch 46 degrees Celsius.
Heatwave Conditions Continue Across the Capital
The IMD said several weather monitoring centres in Delhi reported “warm night” conditions. Stations including Safdarjung and Lodi Road recorded temperatures significantly above normal levels during the night and early morning hours.
Under IMD guidelines, a warm night is declared when the daytime temperature remains at or above 40 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature stays between 4.5 and 6.4 degrees Celsius higher than the seasonal average.
Safdarjung, considered the city’s primary weather station, registered a minimum temperature of 31.9 degrees Celsius. The Ridge station recorded 30.6 degrees Celsius, which was 4.4 degrees above normal conditions for this time of year.
Several Areas Witness Higher Than Normal Temperatures
Other parts of Delhi also experienced elevated temperatures overnight. Palam recorded a minimum temperature of 30.5 degrees Celsius, while Lodi Road reported 29.6 degrees Celsius, nearly 4.6 degrees above the usual average. Ayanagar was relatively cooler at 27.4 degrees Celsius, though it still remained slightly above normal levels.
The continuing rise in temperature has increased discomfort for residents, particularly during nighttime hours when cooler conditions are generally expected. Experts say prolonged exposure to such intense heat can affect public health, especially for children, senior citizens, and outdoor workers.
Orange Alert Issued by Weather Department
The IMD has placed Delhi under an orange alert as heatwave conditions are expected to continue through the day. Officials advised people to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours and remain hydrated.
The weather department has warned that dry winds and extremely high daytime temperatures could intensify heat stress in several areas of the city. Medical experts have also recommended taking precautions against dehydration and heat-related illnesses.
The capital has been experiencing unusually high temperatures over the past few days as northwestern parts of India continue to remain under the influence of strong heatwave conditions.
Air Quality Remains in Moderate Category
Despite the intense heat, Delhi’s air quality remained in the “moderate” category on Thursday morning. Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 153 at 9 am.
As per CPCB standards, AQI levels between zero and 50 are categorised as “good,” while readings from 51 to 100 fall under the “satisfactory” range. Levels between 101 and 200 are considered “moderate,” whereas higher readings indicate worsening air quality conditions.
Environmental experts say rising temperatures and dry weather can sometimes contribute to dust accumulation and declining air quality levels in urban regions.