Heatwave – Delhi Faces Rising Temperatures With Yellow Alert Issued
Heatwave – The national capital saw a slight rise in early morning temperatures on Wednesday, while daytime heat remained intense, with the mercury expected to reach between 41°C and 43°C, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Temperatures Climb as Heatwave Warning Issued
The IMD has placed Delhi under a yellow alert, indicating the likelihood of heatwave conditions in certain areas. The sky is expected to stay mostly clear, allowing temperatures to rise steadily through the day. Authorities have also warned that some pockets of the city may experience heatwave conditions, particularly during the afternoon hours.
Alongside the high temperatures, strong surface winds moving at speeds of 20 to 30 kmph are likely to sweep across the city during the day. These winds may offer limited relief but are not expected to significantly reduce the overall heat intensity.
Similar Weather Likely to Continue
Weather officials have indicated that the current conditions are unlikely to change immediately. The same pattern of high daytime temperatures and clear skies is expected to persist for the next two days. The yellow alert will remain in place until Friday, urging residents to take precautions against heat exposure.
Temperature Readings Across Key Stations
Data collected from various monitoring stations across the city showed a noticeable increase in minimum temperatures compared to the previous day. At Safdarjung, which serves as the primary weather station for Delhi, the minimum temperature was recorded at 21.6°C. While this figure is still slightly below the seasonal average, it marks a rise from Tuesday’s reading.
Other parts of the city recorded similar upward trends. Palam reported a minimum temperature of 24.6°C, reflecting a significant increase. Lodhi Road registered 20.6°C, while Ayanagar recorded 23.5°C, both showing clear rises compared to the previous day. These figures suggest a gradual warming trend across different regions of the capital.
Air Quality Deteriorates Amid Rising Heat
While temperatures climbed, Delhi’s air quality showed signs of decline. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 216 at 9 am on Wednesday, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. This marks a deterioration from the previous day’s 24-hour average of 177, which fell under the ‘moderate’ range, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
As per CPCB guidelines, AQI readings between 201 and 300 are classified as ‘poor’, indicating that prolonged exposure may cause discomfort to sensitive groups. Lower categories include ‘good’ (0–50), ‘satisfactory’ (51–100), and ‘moderate’ (101–200), while higher levels such as ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ signal more serious health risks.
Improvement Expected in Coming Days
Despite the current dip in air quality, forecasts offer some relief. The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) has projected that AQI levels are likely to improve by Wednesday evening, returning to the ‘moderate’ category. This improvement is expected to continue over the next few days, even as high temperatures persist.
Advisory for Residents
With rising temperatures and fluctuating air quality, residents are advised to limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours. Staying hydrated and taking necessary precautions against heat-related illnesses will be crucial as the city continues to experience intense summer conditions.