Delhi experienced an unseasonably warm start on Saturday, as the minimum temperature surged to 25.8 degrees Celsius 4.2 degrees above the average for this time of year — underscoring growing concerns around the urban heat effect and the shifting climate patterns impacting the national capital.
Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) showed that by 8:30 a.m., relative humidity levels had touched 60%, creating a humid morning atmosphere. The agency has predicted further weather activity during the day, with thunderstorms and light rain expected, alongside gusty winds travelling at 30 to 40 kilometres per hour. The maximum temperature was projected to hover around 38 degrees Celsius. This comes just a day after parts of the city witnessed sudden rainfall and strong winds, providing temporary relief from an upward trend in daytime temperatures. Weather observatories located in areas like Narela, Pitampura, and Mayur Vihar registered 0.5 mm of rainfall on Friday, signalling the arrival of early pre-monsoon activity.
Meteorological experts stated that a new cloud cluster had moved into the region, likely to deliver light to very light rainfall across different pockets of the capital. The system, while not intense, is expected to momentarily ease the oppressive heat and bring some environmental balance as the city prepares for the peak summer months. Amid the fluctuating weather, Delhi’s air quality continued to hover in the ‘moderate’ category on Saturday morning. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) was measured at 162 at 9 a.m., reflecting an improvement from the ‘poor’ levels witnessed earlier this month. The AQI scale categorises readings between 101 and 200 as ‘moderate’, suggesting that while conditions remain relatively stable, caution is advised, especially for vulnerable groups.
Environmental observers point out that these atmospheric shifts—such as higher-than-normal night-time temperatures and abrupt weather changes—are not isolated anomalies but reflect a broader transformation in the city’s microclimate. Urbanisation, declining green cover, vehicular emissions, and heat-retaining concrete infrastructure have exacerbated the urban heat island effect, leading to warmer nights and diminished natural cooling. Weather experts note that such temperature anomalies can have wide-reaching effects beyond mere discomfort. Elevated night-time temperatures interfere with natural rest cycles, increase energy demand for cooling, and put additional strain on public health infrastructure. These conditions can be especially harmful to the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
City planners and environmental policy advocates argue that this is a timely reminder of the need to integrate climate resilience into Delhi’s urban framework. There is a growing call for citywide greening initiatives, sustainable construction practices, reflective building materials, and enhanced monitoring of emissions from transport and industry. Meanwhile, the light rainfall—though not enough to significantly influence reservoir levels or recharge groundwater—has offered short-term respite. However, the real challenge lies in ensuring consistent urban planning policies that prepare the city for increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and rising summer extremes.
Public infrastructure must also evolve in tandem. Experts from the energy and environment sectors stress the importance of investing in sustainable cooling technologies and designing public spaces that mitigate heat stress. While rainfall events can temper surface temperatures momentarily, only long-term green urban development can counteract the intensity of Delhi’s heat waves. Forecasts suggest more scattered rainfall and thunderstorms over the coming week, which could bring down both temperature and pollution levels. But for residents of Delhi, the reality of a longer and harsher summer is becoming ever clearer — and the urgency to adapt is more critical than ever.
By highlighting the shifting weather trends, the city is once again reminded of the broader impacts of climate change and the pressing need to build cities that prioritise ecological balance, citizen wellbeing, and sustainable urban growth.
Also Read : https://urbanacres.in/new-delhi-faces-higher-heat-index-with-rising-humidity/
