Delhi heat to ease as IMD issues yellow alert for rain and gusty winds
New Delhi: Delhi is expected to get temporary relief from intense heat conditions as rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds are forecast to hit the city from Tuesday night and continue over the next few days.
After several days of extreme heat pushing temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, the capital saw a slight drop on Tuesday, with the maximum temperature settling at 39.2 degrees Celsius. On Monday, Delhi recorded its second-hottest April day this year at 42.3 degrees Celsius.
Some parts of the city also experienced light rainfall during the day. Palam and Lodi Road recorded trace precipitation between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Wednesday, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds.
According to meteorologists, a cyclonic circulation currently active over adjoining areas of central Pakistan, northwest Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana is influencing the weather pattern. This system is expected to move towards northeast India, bringing a shift in conditions over Delhi.
Weather expert Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather said parts of Rajasthan and Haryana may receive rainfall first, followed by Delhi as the system progresses. He added that the system could remain active until April 30 and may trigger dust storms along with moderate rain and thunderstorms, which are typical pre-monsoon features.
On Wednesday, Delhi’s maximum temperature is expected to remain around 38 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may hover near 27 degrees Celsius.
Station-wise data showed that Safdarjung, the city’s base observatory, recorded a maximum of 39.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 28.4 degrees Celsius. At Palam, the maximum stood at 38.6 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 27.4 degrees Celsius.
Lodi Road recorded a maximum of 38.8 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 26.6 degrees Celsius, while the Ridge observatory reported 39.0 degrees Celsius as the maximum and 26.2 degrees Celsius as the minimum. Ayanagar logged the highest maximum at 39.4 degrees Celsius, with the minimum rising to 29.1 degrees Celsius.
The sharp increase in night temperatures resulted in the season’s first “warm night” conditions in the capital. Such conditions are declared when minimum temperatures remain significantly above normal while daytime temperatures approach or exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 239. As per CPCB standards, AQI between 201 and 300 is classified as ‘poor’, indicating unhealthy air conditions for sensitive groups.
(With PTI inputs)