Delhi heatwave: IMD forecasts more hot days, light rains likely today

Delhi experienced its fifth consecutive day of heatwaves on Thursday and IMD predicted that this trend will continue for the next five days, with maximum temperatures expected to range between 44 and 45 degrees Celsius. There is, however, a chance of thunderstorms, lightning, and light rain at isolated locations on Friday afternoon or evening.

The maximum temperature on Thursday recorded at the Safdarjung Observatory, considered the official marker of the city, was 4.9 notches above normal at 44.8 degrees Celsius.

The Najafgarh weather station recorded a maximum temperature of 45.1 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Among Delhi's other stations, Narela recorded a high of 45.3 degrees Celsius, Aya Nagar 46.4 degrees, Ridge 46.3 degrees and Palam 45.8 degrees, the weather office said in a bulletin.

The national capital was placed under an 'orange' alert, indicating "be prepared" during the day, as per the IMD bulletin. Relative humidity varied between 15% and 58% during this period. The weather forecast predicts partly cloudy skies with the chance of thunderstorms and light rain or drizzle in some areas during Friday afternoon and evening.

Monsoon lull

Parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were also in the grip of a severe heatwave on Thursday with maximum temperatures crossing the 46 degrees Celsius mark at several places. There seems to be no immediate respite in sight due to the slow progress of the southwest monsoon.

Buxar in Bihar recorded 47.2 degrees Celsius, the highest in the country on Thursday, which was 8.9 degrees above the normal maximum temperature for the season.

IMD in its extended range forecast for the next two weeks said the cumulative monsoon rains received across the country for the first 12 days of this season was 4 per cent less than the normal, with northwest India remaining parched with 53 per cent deficient rains.

Southern India, on the other hand, received 60 per cent more rainfall than normal during the June 1-12 period.

The weather office said conditions were likely to become favourable for further advance of the southwest monsoon towards the end of the week around June 19.

With inputs from PTI