IMD Issues Severe Heatwave Warning As Delhi Sees Record Night Temperature
IMD warns of severe heatwave as Delhi records its warmest night in over a decade.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an extended orange alert for severe heatwave conditions in the national capital after Delhi recorded its warmest night in nearly 14 years, with the minimum temperature rising to 31.9°C on Thursday. The reading, which is around five degrees above normal, marked the first “warm night” of the season as extreme heat conditions intensified across northern India.
According to the IMD, the last comparable warm night in May was recorded on May 27, 2012, when the minimum temperature reached 34.2°C. This year’s unusually high nighttime temperatures have added to the daytime heat stress, with officials warning that conditions may persist through May 27. The agency has maintained an orange alert, indicating the need for precautionary measures due to the likelihood of prolonged heatwave conditions.
Daytime temperatures in Delhi have also surged well above seasonal averages. At the Safdarjung weather station, the maximum temperature reached 43.6°C, while other monitoring stations reported even more severe readings. The Ridge station recorded a peak of 45.3°C, highlighting the intensity of the heatwave gripping the region.
Also Read: Maharashtra’s Akola Records 46.9°C, India’s Highest Temperature Today
Meteorological experts have attributed the sustained heat to dry northwesterly and westerly winds combined with the absence of any strong western disturbance that could have brought relief. Weather specialists have noted that even a weak western disturbance affecting parts of the Himalayan region is unlikely to significantly impact Delhi’s weather conditions in the coming days.
While Delhi continues to remain under extreme heat stress, the IMD has forecast rainfall activity in several other parts of the country. Northeast India, including states such as Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, is expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms. Similarly, southern states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are likely to experience scattered showers accompanied by strong winds and lightning activity.
In eastern India, widespread rainfall and thunderstorms are expected across regions including West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Some areas may also witness strong winds reaching speeds of up to 70 kmph, even as northern India continues to grapple with persistent heatwave conditions and deteriorating air quality.
Also Read: Rubio Pledges Maximum US Energy Exports to India Amid Global Shortage
