Delhi may hit 46°C before rain brings relief from Thursday

NEW DELHI: Parts of Delhi are likely to see the temperature touch 46 degree celcius on Wednesday, but relief may follow soon, with rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds expected from Thursday under the influence of a western disturbance.

Air quality, which slipped to the ‘very poor’ category on Monday night due to dust intrusion, improved slightly on Tuesday as winds picked up. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was 304 at 9am, improved to 295 by 11am and further to 254 by 4pm, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The India Meterological Department (IMD) said the maximum temperature at Safdarjung, the city’s base station was 43.5 degree celcius on Tuesday, three degrees above normal and unchanged from Monday. Ayanagar was the hottest at 44.8 degree celcius, followed by Ridge at 44.6 degree celcius.

Despite the high temperatures, no station officially recorded heatwave conditions, though isolated pockets may see them as the maximum is expected to hover between 44 degree celcius and 46 degree celcius.

The IMD defines a heatwave as a departure of 4.5 degree celcius or more above normal with the maximum at least 40 degree celcius, or when it reaches 45 degree celcius or above.

“Heatwave conditions are very likely to prevail over the next 24 hours and are expected to abate thereafter due to the possibility of light rain with thunderstorm activity over Delhi during May 28-30,” an IMD official said, adding that temperatures may drop by 5-7 degree celcius after two days.

The maximum is expected to fall to 35-37 degree celcius by Friday. A yellow alert has been issued for Thursday night and Friday for light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds up to 60 kmph. While there is no colour-coded warning for the weekend, light rain is likely.

Delhi has already witnessed two heatwave spells this season. Parts of the city recorded consecutive heatwave days from April 23-25, though Safdarjung reported one such day on April 25 (42.8 degree celcius). Another spell was seen from May 18-21 in some areas, with Safdarjung recording one heatwave day on May 19 (45.1 degree celcius).

The minimum temperature on Tuesday was 26.8 degree celcius, near normal.