Warning of a severe heatwave in Delhi and neighbouring areas of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an "orange alert". The IMD warned that the maximum temperature may touch 45 degrees on Tuesday and appealed the people to stay indoors as far as possible. The minimum temperature is expected to be 30 degrees Celsius. However, the MeT Office has forecast strong surface winds later in the day.
"Orange alert in Delhi. Severe heatwave from June 4 in Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, UP and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan. Temperature varying between 44-47 degrees Celsius shall continue for four more days. We advise people to venture out carefully as the heat spell is very severe," RK Jenamani, senior scientist, IMD, told Hindustan Times.
Weather experts said a fresh western disturbance may bring some relief on the weekend, PTI reported.
READ | Delhi Weather Update: Maximum Touches 45 Degrees
"Cloudy conditions and drizzle expected on June 11 over northwest India and parts of central India due to western disturbance. Heatwave to abate from June 11. As far as monsoon is concerned, it has advanced into some more parts of Tamil Nadu. Heavy rainfall expected in northeast India," ANI quoted Jenamani as saying.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) uses four colour codes for weather warnings -- green (no action needed), yellow (watch and stay updated), orange (be prepared) and red (take action).
Mahesh Palawat, vice-president (climate change and meteorology), Skymet Weather, attributed the heatwave spell to the lack of strong western disturbances and incessant hot and dry westerly winds, PTI reported.
He said a fresh western disturbance might induce a cyclonic circulation over Punjab and Haryana that would lead to intermittent pre-monsoon activity in Haryana, Punjab, north Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh from June 10.
"With the monsoon expected to cover eastern India by June 15, easterly winds will bring in moisture and intensify pre-monsoon activity in northwest India," PTI quoted him as saying.
On Monday, the MeT office had issued a yellow alert in Delhi, with temperatures rising to 43.5 degrees Celsius, three notches above the season's average.
The minimum and maximum temperature on Wednesday are likely to settle at 28 degrees Celsius and 43 degrees Celsius respectively with a mainly clear sky forecast, according to IMD data.
The maximum temperature in the capital may drop to 40-41 degrees Celsius by Friday.