Red alert for heatwave in Delhi today, says Met department

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, June 18, 2024: The Indian Meteorological Deparment has issued a red alert for heatwave in Delhi on Tuesday.

The weather body said that Delhi would experience heatwave conditions in most places with severe heatwave conditions at most places in the capital region on Tuesday. Similarly, it would experience warm nights at isolated places.

It predicted that the maximum temperature of Delhi will likely be 45 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature will likely be 34 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

The weather body said that the intensity of the heatwave would decrease in intensity after Tuesday.

The IMD also predicted heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in isolated parts of Himachal Pradesh and Bihar on Tuesday.

It further said that hot and humid weather would likely prevail over Odisha till Wednesday, in coastal West Bengal on Tuesday and Jharkhand on Thursday.

The weather body predicted isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely in parts of West Bengal and Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh till Friday and in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura till Wednesday. It also predicted isolated heavy rainfall over Odisha on Thursday and Friday.

Delhi is currently grappling with an extraordinary heatwave, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels. According to recent reports on June 17, 2024, several weather stations across the city recorded temperatures significantly above the seasonal average. Safdarjung, the city’s primary weather station, noted a sweltering high of 45.2 degrees Celsius, a staggering 6.4 degrees Celsius above the typical 38.8 degrees Celsius for mid-June.

Palam followed closely with a maximum of 46.0 degrees Celsius, and the Ridge area saw temperatures peak at 46.3 degrees Celsius for the second consecutive day, approximately 8 degrees Celsius above normal.

Other parts of the city were similarly affected, with Lodhi Road and Ayanagar registering highs of 45.6 degrees Celsius and 46.4 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The heatwave, which has severely affected daily activities and posed health risks, is expected to continue for the next two days before conditions begin to improve. Relief is on the horizon, as a western disturbance will become active in Northwest India from June 18 to June 20.

This weather system is anticipated to bring sporadic rain to the capital, potentially easing the oppressive heat. Additionally, wind speeds are likely to increase to up to 40 kmph, providing some much-needed respite from the stifling conditions.

As the city braces for a few more days of sweltering heat, authorities have emphasised the importance of staying hydrated, avoiding direct sun exposure, and being mindful of heat-related illnesses. Residents are urged to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours and to look out for signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke among vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly.

With the anticipated relief from the western disturbance, Delhiites can look forward to minor but significant cooling as sporadic rains and increased winds will help alleviate the current sweltering conditions.