Delhi is in the grip of an untimely heatwave with the mercury soaring to the highest temperature of this year. Base station Safdarjung and airport observatory, both recorded maximum temperatures of more than 43°C, 43.5°C recorded at Safdarjung and 43.4°C at Palam, the highest so far in this season. Some other parts of Delhi exceeded 44°C, to register 1st severe heatwave conditions for the capital city. These temperatures are 6-7°C above the normal and amount to severe heatwave conditions. Heatwave is mostly witnessed in April and May and gets extended till mid June. It is rather unusual to witness extreme heat around this time of the year.
Heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature reach or exceed 40°C and the difference from the normal is 4.5°C or more. This is the second spell of heatwave in this season, first being in March 2021 when the mercury touched 40.1°C on 29thMarch, quite early in the season. Most pertinent months of April and May escaped the blazing fury of a heatwave, albeit the highest temperature so far was 42.2°C recorded on 28thApril 2021. May remained relatively mild with highest maximum of 41.6°C recorded on 04thMay 2021.
Southwest monsoon with promising signs of descending early over the national capital has missed the call. The annual feature has not only eluded and surpassed the normal date of 27th June, but it may also have ‘no show’ even in the 1st week of July. Presence of clear skies, coupled with dry and hot winds sweeping across the arid state of Rajasthan are resulting ‘loo’ with flaring heat across the region.
Today also, the day temperature may shoot to 40°C, for the 3rd successive day causing severe heatwave conditions. There are chances of rain and thunderstorm accompanied with strong winds on 02ndand 4rd July over the city and neighborhood. The reversal of winds may increase the humidity but the mercury levels will ease out by 4-5°C and hover in the range of 37-38°C.