Najafgarh Sizzles As Delhi Records Nation's Highest Temperature At 47.8°C, Heatwave To Persist For A Week

The IMD issued a red alert, predicting heatwave conditions across many parts of Delhi. They also forecast a partly cloudy sky with strong surface winds blowing at 25 to 35 kmph.

New Delhi: A sweltering heatwave hit Delhi on Sunday, with temperatures soaring to a season-high of 44.4 degrees Celsius. The Najafgarh area recorded the highest temperature in both the national capital and the country, reaching 47.8 degrees Celsius. No respite from the heatwave is expected for a week as hot winds from Rajasthan continue to sweep across the national capital.

The Safdarjung observatory, Delhi's primary weather station, recorded a maximum temperature of 44.4 degrees Celsius, which is four degrees above normal, and a minimum temperature of 28.2 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal, reported ANI.

Most areas in Delhi experienced maximum temperatures between 45 and 47 degrees Celsius, exceeding the normal range by four to six degrees. Najafgarh was the hottest area, with a peak temperature of 47.8 degrees Celsius, the highest in both the capital and the country.

Mungeshpur and Pitampura sizzled at 47.7 degrees Celsius and 47 degrees Celsius, respectively. Ayanagar recorded a high of 46.4 degrees Celsius, while Palam and Ridge saw temperatures reach 45.1 degrees Celsius and 45.9 degrees Celsius, respectively. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert, predicting heatwave conditions across many parts of Delhi. They also forecast a partly cloudy sky with strong surface winds blowing at 25 to 35 kmph.

Weather officials warned people to remain cautious and urged them to ensure "extreme care for vulnerable people", including infants, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases.

"There is a very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in people of all ages, and a health concern for vulnerable individuals such as infants, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases, the department said.

"Avoid heat exposure and keep cool. Avoid dehydration," it added.

The weather office recommended staying hydrated by drinking ample water and consuming ORS or homemade beverages like lassi, torani (rice water), lemon water, and buttermilk. According to the IMD, a heatwave occurs when a weather station records a maximum temperature of at least 40 degrees Celsius with a deviation of 4.5 degrees or more from the normal.

Delhi Hotter Than Rajasthan's Bikaner, Barmer, Jodhpur, Kota: IMD

A severe heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature exceeds the normal by 6.5 degrees or more.

According to the IMD, most areas in Delhi experienced higher temperatures than cities in neighbouring Rajasthan, a state known for the Thar Desert and temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. Delhi was hotter than Bikaner (44.6 degrees), Barmer (45.8 degrees), Jodhpur (45.6 degrees), Kota (46.2 degrees), and Sriganganagar (46.7 degrees), all of which recorded maximum temperatures between 44 and 47 degrees.

Similarly, in Gujarat, most stations had maximum temperatures ranging from 33 to 45 degrees Celsius, with Surendranagar being the hottest city at 45.3 degrees Celsius. In Uttar Pradesh, Agra recorded the highest temperature at 47.7 degrees Celsius.

The IMD issued a red alert for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and West Rajasthan, and an orange alert for East Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar due to the prevailing heatwave conditions.

The Meteorological Department stated that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are very likely in many areas of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi until May 22, with some parts of West Uttar Pradesh expecting these conditions by May 19. 

Additionally, heatwave conditions are likely in certain areas of East Uttar Pradesh, pockets of Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha until May 22. Similar conditions are expected to persist in Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, and Jharkhand until May 20.