Delhi reeled from intense heat yesterday as temperatures surged well above normal, pushing the capital into a severe heatwave. Safdarjung recorded a maximum of 41.9°C, while the Ridge station touched 43.1°C, the highest in the city. Lodhi Road also crossed the heatwave threshold at 41.8°C.
Dry and gusty winds, touching 35 km per hour, failed to ease conditions. Hot air from desert regions continued to drive temperatures upward, leaving residents exposed to harsh daytime conditions.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for today. It expects maximum temperatures between 42°C and 44°C, signalling no immediate respite.
Weather shift likely after April 26
Relief, however, may not be far away. Meteorologists say a cyclonic circulation developing over Rajasthan and Pakistan could alter weather conditions across north India from April 26.
This system may trigger thunderstorms and gusty winds in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana. Forecasters expect partly cloudy skies tomorrow (Sunday), thunder activity by day after (Monday) evening, and light rain around Tuesday and Wednesday. This may lead to a marginal fall in temperatures.
Weather expert Mahesh Palawat has indicated that while Saturday is likely to remain oppressive, rainfall activity in the following days may soften the intensity of the heatwave.
Heatwave spreads across north and central India
The heat stress is not confined to Delhi. The IMD has warned of heatwave conditions across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Kerala until April 27.
Temperatures in many of these regions are hovering between 40°C and 44°C. Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan recorded the country’s highest temperature at 44.5°C.
The IMD has also warned that temperatures across northwest and central India could rise by another 2 to 3 degrees Celsius by April 29, raising concerns of a prolonged hot spell.
Rainfall activity builds in other regions
Even as northern India scorches, several regions are preparing for heavy rain and thunderstorms. Arunachal Pradesh may receive very heavy rainfall between April 25 and 29. Assam and Meghalaya are also likely to witness heavy to very heavy showers during this period.
Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura may see significant rainfall as well. Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh are also likely to receive showers through the coming week.
Rainfall is forecast for Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan in phases, with moderate showers and winds of up to 40 km per hour expected in some places. Parts of Bihar and Jharkhand may also receive light rain.
Heat and pollution deepen public discomfort
The rising temperatures have also worsened air quality in the capital. Delhi’s Air Quality Index stood at 226 in the poor category, while some areas crossed into the very poor range.
With heat and pollution intensifying together, the pressure on residents has grown. For now, Delhi remains in the grip of a punishing summer surge, though the coming week may finally bring a break.