Despite a semblance of relief brought by easterly winds, the Indian capital grapples with soaring temperatures as minimum temperatures reach a six-year high in May, hitting 30.9°C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
This uncharacteristic rise exacerbates concerns amid ongoing heatwave alerts extended till next week. While the maximum temperature in Delhi on Wednesday was capped at 43.4°C, slightly below recent peaks, the minimum temperature recorded remains notably high, surpassing the previous May record set in 2018. IMD forecasts further temperature spikes, with maximums expected to reach 46°C by Saturday and minimums hovering around 32°C in the coming days.
Despite these alarming trends, no official heatwave was recorded for the second consecutive day, attributed partially to easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal increasing moisture content in the air. Nevertheless, IMD maintains an orange alert for Thursday and a red alert from Friday to Sunday, highlighting the potential severity of the situation.
The oscillating humidity levels, ranging from 62% to 37%, contribute to a heat index of 55.4°C, reflecting the apparent temperature experienced by residents. This climatic index underscores the discomfort felt amidst the scorching conditions, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
Explaining the meteorological dynamics, an IMD official emphasised the influence of easterly winds mitigating the maximum temperature rise across various parts of Delhi. However, the looming heatwave forecast necessitates vigilance and adaptive measures to mitigate potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) showed signs of improvement, transitioning to the “moderate” category after a prolonged spell of “poor” air quality. This development offers a reprieve from deteriorating air conditions, although continued monitoring and intervention remain essential to sustain these gains. Looking ahead, the Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi anticipates the air quality to oscillate between “moderate” and “poor” categories over the coming days, underscoring the ongoing need for concerted efforts to address environmental challenges amidst the city’s evolving climatic conditions.
Kuldeep Srivastava, an IMD scientist, said, “Before the easterlies started blowing in, there was a lot of dry heat and the humidity stayed in the range of 20-25%. But the spike in humidity now has led to an uncomfortable feeling of extreme heat. The westerlies might start coming in from May 25.”
