Delhi heat index crosses 50 as IMD issues red alert. When heatwave in north India will ease

A severe heat wave engulfed Delhi, with temperatures peaking at 45.2 degrees Celsius on Monday. according to the India .Meteorological Department's Safdarjung observatory centre. The weather office, however, has forecasted some relief from June 19 onwards. Delhi remains under a 'red' alert through Tuesday, with temperatures expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius again. The Safdarjung observatory, the main weather station in Delhi, recorded a high of 45.2 degrees Celsius, which is 6.4 degrees above the seasonal average.

Delhi heat index

The heat index, or the feels-like temperature, in Delhi surged to 50 degrees Celsius on Monday and could remain in the range of 49-51 on Tuesday, according to IMD. Thereafter, on Wednesday, the heat index could drop to 47-49 range.

These extreme temperatures pose a significant risk of heat illness for individuals exposed to the sun for prolonged periods or those engaging in strenuous activities. Vulnerable populations, such as infants, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases, are particularly at risk.

The heatwave, ranging from moderate to severe, is expected to persist across much of North India over the next two days but should gradually ease due to an approaching Western Disturbance, according to IMD. Severe heatwave conditions have been reported in most parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, as well as in many areas of south Bihar and south Uttarakhand. Some regions of Jammu-Kashmir, northern Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, northern Rajasthan, and Vidarbha are also experiencing heatwave conditions.

Also read - Delhi Heatwave: What's causing the extreme temperatures in the national capital?

Warm night conditions were observed in parts of Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi and isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh. Some regions in Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Madhya Pradesh also experienced unusually warm nights. Maximum temperatures range between 44 and 46 degrees Celsius in most areas of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, and many parts of northern Rajasthan and northern Madhya Pradesh, according to IMD. These temperatures are 4 to 8 degrees above normal. The highest temperature in the country was reported in Prayagraj, East Uttar Pradesh, at 47.6 degrees Celsius.

IMD's heatwave warning

Looking ahead, the forecast for the next five days indicates no significant change in maximum temperatures over Northwest India for the next 24 hours, followed by a decrease of about 2 degrees Celsius. In Central and East India, temperatures are expected to remain steady for three days before falling by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. Other parts of the country will see no significant temperature changes.

Warnings for heat wave, hot and humid weather, and warm nights are issued for the next five days. Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are expected in many parts of Uttar Pradesh from June 17 to 19 and in Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi on June 17. Isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh and Bihar will experience these conditions on June 17 and 18, while Uttarakhand and Jharkhand will see similar conditions on June 17, with a decrease in intensity thereafter.

Isolated heat wave conditions are also predicted for Jammu-Kashmir, northern Madhya Pradesh, and northern coastal Andhra Pradesh on June 17 and 18. Northern Rajasthan will experience these conditions from June 17 to 19, and Vidarbha and Gangetic West Bengal on June 17, with abatement thereafter.

Warm night conditions are expected in isolated parts of Uttar Pradesh on June 17 and 18. Similar conditions are anticipated in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi on June 17, and East Madhya Pradesh on June 17 and 18.