Delhi Weather: Relief From Scorching Heat Likely As IMD Predicts Light Rain Today

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted relief from the scorching heat in Delhi as overcast skies, gusty winds, and light rain are expected in the second half of Wednesday. The Safdarjung Observatory, the primary weather station in Delhi, recorded a minimum temperature of 25.4 degrees Celsius, slightly below normal, while the maximum temperature is likely to reach around 39 degrees Celsius.

Northwest India, including the capital and its surroundings, is expected to experience thunderstorms and intermittent rains over the next two to three days due to an active western disturbance in the western Himalayan region. This weather pattern is expected to bring the maximum temperature down to 35 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with below-normal maximum temperatures anticipated until June 30.

On Tuesday, a heat wave swept through parts of Delhi, with seven out of the 22 weather stations in the city recording maximum temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius. The peak power demand in Delhi rose to 6,916 MW, the highest so far this season, and officials expect it to reach 8,100 MW this year, with a peak demand of 7,695 MW recorded last summer.

Certain areas, including Najafgarh, saw temperatures surpassing 46 degrees Celsius for the second consecutive day. The Safdarjung Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 43.5 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal. Other locations such as Ridge, Jafarpur, Narela, Pitampura, Pusa, and the Sports Complex also experienced high temperatures ranging from 45.1 to 46.2 degrees Celsius.

Heat waves are declared when the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains, 37 degrees in coastal areas, or 30 degrees in hilly regions, with a departure from normal of at least 4.5 degrees.

The University of Cambridge conducted a study indicating that heat waves in India are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, with over 90% of the country falling within the "extremely cautious" or "danger zone" categories of their impacts. Delhi, despite having a state action plan for climate change, is particularly vulnerable to severe heatwave impacts, as revealed by the study, which highlights the need for further consideration of these factors.

As the arrival of the southwest monsoon is expected to be slightly delayed, above-normal maximum temperatures are likely to persist for a longer duration than usual, according to the IMD's predictions.