Weather update: Heatwave to continue in Delhi, says IMD

On Wednesday, Delhi has recorded maximum temperature at 43.5 degree Celsius.

As per IMD, in the plains, heatwave days are those when the maximum temperature crosses 40 degrees Celsius, and when the day temperature exceeds the region’s normal maximum temperature by 4.5 degrees Celsius. A severe heatwave is declared when there is a departure of 6.5 degrees Celsius or above from normal temperatures.

The IMD officials said that the maximum temperature recorded at the Safdarjung Observatory was seven notches above normal on Wednesday. Other monitoring stations in the Capital, including Lodhi Road (43.7 degrees Celsius), Ayanagar (44.2), Ridge (44), Mungeshpur (44.3), Najafgarh (44.4), Pitampura (44.3) and Narela (43.7), also recorded a severe heatwave, the officials said.

On Monday, the Union ministry of earth science’s air quality monitoring centre, System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (Safar) said, “The overall Delhi air quality is in the moderate category as forecasted. Surface winds are high and West South-westerly and forecasted to stay high for the next 48 hours. Dust long-range transport from dry arid regions and local emissions are expected to increase in the coming days. Although high ventilation is favourable for dispersion, AQI is likely to deteriorate and touch the Poor category by tomorrow. Poor to the high end of the Moderate category is forecasted on July 2 and 3. Dust (PM10) will be the lead pollutant for the next three days.”

"Usually, the capital witnesses heatwaves till June 20 and cooler temperatures thereafter. The increase in the maximum temperature this time can be attributed to the delay in the arrival of the monsoon," said Kuldeep Srivastava, head of the IMD's regional forecasting centre.

As reported by IMD, conditions are predicted to become favourable for the advancement of monsoon into the region by July 7. Light rainfall and dust storm is also predicted to happen on Friday.