The scorching summer heat is causing extreme hardship for residents in Delhi and surrounding areas, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a warning of temperatures soaring to a dangerous 47 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The IMD has raised a strong heatwave alert for the capital, with no immediate relief in sight as the oppressive conditions are expected to persist until May 26. Delhi-NCR has been under the grip of intense heatwave conditions, prompting the IMD to elevate the warning level from “yellow” to “orange.”
Residents are bracing for temperatures around 46 degrees Celsius in Delhi, with severe heatwave conditions anticipated to continue for the next couple of days and beyond. The IMD forecasts no significant change in temperatures over the next week, maintaining an orange alert for the next five days, with daytime temperatures not likely to fall below 43 degrees Celsius. The IMD issues a heatwave warning when the maximum temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius and remains significantly above normal.
An orange alert advises precautionary measures as worsening weather conditions pose a high risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with existing medical conditions. Delhi, along with Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, is expected to endure severe heat conditions throughout the week, accompanied by strong surface winds in the afternoons and evenings. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district recorded the country’s highest temperature at 48 degrees Celsius amid ongoing heatwave conditions.
The air quality in Delhi remained in the “poor” category, with Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Rohini, Wazirpur, and IIT Delhi registering AQI readings ranging from 160 to 215 on Thursday.
