Weather Update: Delhi Experiences Heatwave Conditions, Maximum Temperature Crosses 40 Degrees Celsius

Last Wednesday, Delhi’s Safdarjung Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 39.6 degrees Celsius.

Representational image (Photo: Getty)

New Delhi: Delhi experienced heatwave conditions on Thursday with the maximum temperature crossing the 40-degree mark. Earlier, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that scorching heat conditions would persist for at least a week. Since March last week, heatwave conditions have prevailed over several regions of the national capital. 

Last Wednesday, Delhi’s Safdarjung Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 39.6 degrees Celsius, according to a report by news agency PTI. The observatory is considered the official marker for Delhi. The maximum temperature is expected to soar to 42 degrees Celsius by Friday.

On Tuesday, April 5, the weather stations at Ridge, Najafgarh, Pitampura and Sports Complex recorded a heatwave. The maximum temperatures at Ridge, Najafgarh, Pitampura and Sports Complex were 40.4 degrees Celsius, 40.2 degrees Celsius, 40.6 degrees Celsius, and 40.7 degrees Celsius, respectively. 

According to IMD officials, a prolonged dry spell has led to "severe" hot weather conditions in northwest India. The IMD also said that heatwave spell is likely to continue over Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, south Punjab, south Haryana-Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand during next five days and over norther parts of Gujarat during next three days.

Heat Wave Spell likely to continue over Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, south Punjab, south Haryana-Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand during next 5 days and over norther parts of Gujarat during next 3 days

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) April 7, 2022

"The heatwave spell likely is to continue over most parts of Northwest India and Madhya Pradesh during the next five days," the report quoted IMD officials as saying. 

A "heatwave" is declared for the plains, when the maximum temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius and at least 4.5 notches above normal, according to the IMD. 

If the departure from normal temperature is more than 6.4 notches, a severe 

A "severe" heatwave is declared if the departure from normal temperature is more than 6.4 notches, according to the IMD.

The lack of rainfall due to dry westerly winds is responsible for the hot weather, according to experts. For the first time since 2018, Delhi recorded nil rainfall in March 2022. The national capital usually gets 15.9 millimetres of rainfall in March on an average.

A severe heatwave scorched large swathes of India in March 2022. The country recorded its warmest March in 122 years. 

"Over the country as a whole, the average maximum temperature (33.10 degrees Celsius) recorded in March 2022 is the highest ever in the last 122 years," the IMD said.

India had recorded a maximum temperature of 33.09 degrees Celsius in March 2010.