IMD predicts heatwave in Delhi, orange alert issued

Delhi Heatwave: The national capital on Tuesday recorded a minimum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, which is normal for this time of the year, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Humidity was recorded at 37 per cent at 8:30 am.

The weather department has predicted that Delhi will experience a heat wave in many areas, with strong surface winds, occasionally gusty, blowing during the day.

Also Read: Delhi burns in heatwave as temperatures skyrocket

Delhi has been put on “orange alert” for Tuesday, which signifies “Be prepared” in the IMD colour codes. The maximum temperature is likely to reach around 44 degrees Celsius.

On Monday, Delhi experienced a high of 43.4 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees above the season’s average.

Narela was the hottest area at 46.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Najafgarh at 46.3 degrees Celsius, Aya Nagar at 44.7 degrees Celsius, Lodhi Road at 43.8 degrees Celsius, and Palam at 44.1 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD.

“This has been the longest spell, lasting about 24 days in different parts of the country,” said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the head of India’s Meteorological Department (IMD).

The mercury is expected to fall as the annual monsoon rains move north this month, but Mohapatra cautioned that worse conditions may follow.

Scientific research shows climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent, and more intense.

The latest heatwave has seen temperatures in New Delhi match the capital’s previous record high: 49.2°C (120.5°F) recorded in 2022.

As people sought relief from the scorching temperatures, the electricity grid groaned under a record peak power demand of 8,302 megawatts.

On May 29, an automatic weather station in the Delhi suburb of Mungeshpur recorded a high of 52.9°C (127.2°F), but the temperature was due to a faulty sensor.

Elsewhere in Delhi, 17 other city stations hit a maximum of 49°C (120.2°F) on the same day. “We constituted an expert committee, which observed readings for the next two days and found there were problems with the sensor,” Mohapatra said.

While the IMD had raised its concerns about the recording within hours, Mohapatra confirmed for the first time that the sensor was faulty. (With inputs from PTI)