Delhi has been relentlessly gripped by scorching heat, registering its warmest May night in almost 14 years. The national capital is struggling under severe heatwave conditions, with temperatures stubbornly remaining above a blistering 45°C in numerous localities, and meteorologists forecasting another arduous week of extreme warmth.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Safdarjung, the city’s primary weather observatory, recorded a minimum temperature of 31.9°C. This figure is a startling 5.2 degrees higher than the seasonal average and a noticeable 3.6 degrees warmer than the previous night. It marks a significant benchmark; the last instance of such an oppressive May night was on May 26, 2012, when the mercury dipped no lower than 32.5°C.
Unprecedented Warmth and Persistent Delhi Heatwave
The IMD has intensified its warnings, issuing an orange alert for Friday, with predictions of a maximum temperature soaring to 44°C and a minimum of 32°C. These relentless heatwave conditions have plagued parts of Delhi for four consecutive days, a pattern expected to endure for at least another week. The culprits? Dry northwesterly winds sweeping across northwest India, coupled with the conspicuous absence of any significant western disturbances.
Daytime highs have been equally brutal. Ridge emerged as the city’s undisputed hot zone, sweltering at 45.3°C. Other areas weren’t far behind: Ayanagar recorded 44.5°C, while both Palam and Lodi Road registered a suffocating 44.3°C. Even Safdarjung, comparatively cooler, still reached a formidable 43.6°C, nearly 3.5 degrees above its normal for this time of year.
The unusual elevation of night temperatures further exacerbates the crisis. Palam saw a minimum of 30.5°C, Ridge 30.6°C, and Lodi Road 29.6°C – all well beyond typical seasonal averages. The national weather agency defines a “warm night” as one where maximum temperatures stay above 40°C and minimum temperatures are 4.5–6.4 degrees above normal. Such prolonged conditions are precarious, hindering the body’s ability to recuperate from the day’s heat, leading to heightened health risks.
Weather experts are attributing this extended period of intense heat to hot, arid winds originating from Rajasthan’s vast Thar Desert and neighbouring central Pakistan, which significantly amplify temperatures across the Delhi-NCR region. Mahesh Palawat, a meteorologist from Skymet Weather, underscored the grim outlook, noting the predicted lack of thunderstorms or pre-monsoon showers over the next ten days. “The ground simply isn’t getting adequate time to release accumulated heat,” Palawat explained, “resulting in these persistently warm nights. These dry northwesterly winds are essentially trapping the heat, preventing any significant cooling.”
He cautioned that widespread areas across Delhi-NCR are likely to continue experiencing the debilitating Delhi heatwave in the coming days, elevating the dangers of heatstroke, severe dehydration, and other heat-related ailments. Adding to the city’s woes, the extreme weather has detrimentally impacted air quality. Dry, dust-laden winds have propelled pollution levels upwards, with Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting 209 – firmly placing it in the “poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Authorities are urging residents, especially vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, to strictly limit prolonged outdoor exposure during peak afternoon hours and to prioritize continuous hydration.
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