Scorching heat persists across Delhi-NCR; IMD issues orange alert
New Delhi, May 22
Scorching heatwave conditions continued to trouble residents across Delhi-NCR on Friday, with the India Meteorological Department issuing an orange alert for the national capital and adjoining regions.
The whole region has reported a sharp rise in temperatures over the past few days, making outdoor activities increasingly difficult for people.
A jogger told IANS, "The heat has increased significantly compared to earlier days. The weather used to be pleasant in the morning, but over the last four to five days, the temperature has risen sharply. It remains manageable till around 8 or 9 a.m., after which the heat intensifies and continues till nearly 4 p.m., with temperatures touching 44-45 degrees Celsius."
Another morning walker said, "The heat is increasing continuously. Earlier, we used to go for a run at 6 a.m., but now we have to start at 5 a.m. because by 6 a.m. the conditions become extremely uncomfortable due to the rising temperature."
The IMD has placed Delhi under an orange alert for the next five days, as temperatures are expected to remain exceptionally high across the city and the surrounding NCR. Several parts of Delhi-NCR have been witnessing intense daytime heat along with unusually warm nights.
In view of the worsening weather conditions, the IMD upgraded its warning from a yellow alert to an orange alert on Wednesday.
An orange alert issued by the weather department advises residents to remain prepared and take necessary precautions, as severe weather conditions may disrupt daily life. The alert also warns of an increased risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly among children, elderly people, outdoor workers, and individuals suffering from existing medical conditions.
According to the IMD forecast, Delhi's maximum temperature may touch 46 degrees Celsius on May 22, while daytime temperatures are expected to remain above 43 degrees Celsius throughout the week.
The IMD further stated that Delhi, along with Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, is likely to experience severe heatwave conditions accompanied by strong surface winds during the afternoon and evening hours.
Delhi also recorded its warmest May night in nearly 14 years, with the minimum temperature settling at 31.9 degrees Celsius on Thursday. According to IMD data, the last time the city recorded a higher minimum temperature in May was on May 26, 2012, when the minimum temperature stood at 32.5 degrees Celsius.
There appears to be no immediate relief from the sweltering conditions, as the IMD has forecast that the heatwave may continue until at least May 26.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh's Banda recorded the country's highest temperature at 48 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, highlighting the severe heat conditions prevailing across northern India.
The intense heat has also triggered a sharp rise in electricity consumption across Delhi. The national capital's peak power demand has already crossed 7,700 MW this season, and officials warned that the demand could rise further if the heatwave persists.
Authorities have advised residents to avoid stepping outdoors during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, wear light clothing, and take precautions against heat-related illnesses such as dehydration and heatstroke. Special caution has been advised for children, elderly citizens, and people with pre-existing health conditions.
Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the "poor" category, with AQI levels recorded at Anand Vihar (282), Aya Nagar (240), Bawana (232), Cantonment Area (175), DTU (195), IGI Airport (T3) (212), Narela (253), Okhla Phase-2 (249), Pusa (251), and Sonia Vihar (236).
— IANS
Reader Comments
Remember when May used to be pleasant? Not anymore. Climate change is real and hitting us hard. We need more tree plantations and rooftop gardens in Delhi-NCR, not just issuing alerts. Also, why is the power demand still so high even after all these years? Time to invest in solar panels for every home! ☀️
As someone who moved from Canada to Delhi last year, I've never experienced anything like this. In Toronto, we have heatwaves but nothing like 46°C. The fact that even nights are above 30°C is scary. I'm honestly worried about the elderly and street animals. Kudos to the IMD for the timely alerts though.
The article mentions power demand crossing 7,700 MW but doesn't talk about the frequent power cuts in many areas. My colony in Dwarka had 4-hour outages yesterday. How can people stay cool without ACs and fans? And the AQI being 'poor' on top of this heat is a double whammy. Bhai, hum toh jal rahe hain! 😤
Having lived in Delhi for 10 years, I've seen summers getting progressively worse. The humidity combined with this temperature is lethal. I appreciate the IMD's orange alert but wish the authorities would also advise schools and offices to shift to online/work-from-home during such extreme conditions. Kids shouldn't be sitting in non-AC classrooms.
I'm a morning jogger and can relate to what the walkers said in the article. Even at 5:30 AM
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.