IMD warns of severe heat wave in parts of Delhi

The spell of scorching heat waves in Delhi over the past two days is forecast to worsen on Saturday, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an ‘orange’ warning, warning that mercury could rise to 46-47 degrees Celsius in some parts of the city.

The maximum temperature at Delhi’s base station Safdarjung Observatory is forecast to be 44 degrees Celsius as against 42.5 degrees Celsius on Friday.

Mercury rose to 46.1 degrees Celsius in Delhi’s Najafgarh on Friday. The meteorological stations at Jafarpur and Mungeshpur recorded maximum temperatures of 45.6 degrees Celsius and 45.4 degrees Celsius, respectively, six degrees above normal for this time of year.

Pitampura also fluctuated in the heat wave conditions, recording a maximum temperature of 44.7 degrees Celsius.

A ‘yellow’ warning was issued on Sunday to warn people about the heat wave.

IMD uses four color codes for weather warning – green (no action required), yellow (watch and stay updated), orange (be prepared) and red (take action).

Cloudy skies and thunderstorms could bring some relief from the intense heat next week.

This is the fifth heatwave in the capital this summer – March one and April three.

With light rainfall due to weak western disturbances, Delhi recorded the second warmest April of the year since 1951 with a monthly average maximum temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius. Towards the end of the month a heat wave reached 46 and 47 degrees Celsius in different parts of the city.

The capital received 0.3 mm of rainfall in April as against an average of 12.2 mm. In March, there was zero rainfall of 15.9 mm against normal. The IMD forecast normal temperatures in May.

Heat flux is declared when the maximum temperature is above 40 degrees Celsius and the minimum is 4.5 degrees above normal. According to the IMD, a severe heatwave is declared if the exit from the normal temperature exceeds 6.4 notches.

Based on the absolute recorded temperature, a heat flux is declared when an area enters a maximum temperature of 45 সেল C.

When the maximum temperature exceeds 48 degrees Celsius, intense heat flow is declared.

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