The Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) is experiencing an unanticipated heatwave, resembling the scorching conditions of May and June, despite it being only April. After a period of mild weather, residents are now enduring high temperatures and worsening air quality.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert from April 21 to April 24, with Delhi recording a maximum temperature of 41 degrees Celsius on April 21. Temperatures are predicted to escalate further, reaching up to 43 degrees Celsius on April 22 and 23, persisting around 24 degrees as a minimum on April 24.
The IMD has cautioned that the heatwave conditions will extend into the evening hours, emphasizing the severity of the current weather. A slight relief is anticipated by April 25 and 26, with temperatures dropping slightly to around 41 degrees Celsius and skies likely to be partly cloudy, although no specific warnings have been issued.
The NCR is also grappling with poor air quality, as indicated by the Air Quality Index (AQI) readings across various areas. Delhi and its neighboring regions have consistently shown ‘poor’ air quality levels, with Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, and Chandni Chowk reporting AQI levels ranging from 162 to 224. In Noida, AQI levels vary from 147 to 197 in different sectors, while Ghaziabad’s Loni area falls under the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI of 301.
The combination of extreme heat and deteriorating air quality poses a dual challenge for residents, prompting health experts to advise precautions such as avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours, maintaining hydration, and using masks to reduce exposure to polluted air.
