Delhi faces brutal heat as parts of city records 47.8 degree C, ‘red alert’ issued due to heatwave

The national capital experienced a sweltering 44.4 degrees Celsius on Sunday, prompting the weather office to issue a ‘red alert’ due to the severe heat wave conditions.

Delhi has been enduring a consistent increase in temperatures over recent days, peaking with the highest temperature of this summer recorded on Sunday. The temperature reached 43.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday, following 42.5 degrees Celsius on Friday.

The Safdarjung weather station registered a high of 44.4 degrees Celsius on Sunday, which is four degrees above the normal. However, other parts of the city witnessed even higher temperatures, exceeding 47 degrees Celsius.

Najafgarh reported a scorching 47.8 degrees Celsius, Mungeshpur 47.7 degrees, Aya Nagar 46.4 degrees, Pusa 46.5 degrees, Pitampura 47 degrees, and Palam 45.1 degrees.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast mainly clear skies with heatwave conditions in many parts of Delhi and severe heat wave conditions in other areas on Monday, accompanied by strong surface winds blowing at speeds of 25-35 kmph.

In its seven-day forecast, the IMD has advised “extreme care for vulnerable people” due to the heatwave, warning of a high likelihood of heat-related illnesses and heat stroke affecting people of all ages. The heat poses a significant health risk to vulnerable individuals such as infants, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.

The IMD recommends avoiding heat exposure, staying cool, and preventing dehydration. They suggest drinking plenty of water and using oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or homemade drinks like lassi, torani (rice water), lemon water, and buttermilk to stay hydrated.

A heatwave is defined when the maximum temperature in the plains reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius, 37 degrees in coastal areas, and 30 degrees in hilly regions, with a deviation of at least 4.5 degrees from the normal temperature. A severe heatwave is declared if this deviation exceeds 6.4 degrees.

Throughout the day, Delhi’s relative humidity fluctuated between 57 percent and 15 percent.

(With PTI inputs)