Weather Alert: Scorching heat in Delhi, temperature to cross 40-degree this week

The ongoing spell of heatwave in Delhi is likely to intensify with the maximum temperature raising above 40-degree mark today and soar to 43 degrees Celsius by Saturday, the IMD said. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), no relief is in sight for at least a week.

According to the IMD, there is no hope of getting relief from the heat for at least a week. The Safdarjung Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 39.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, which was five degrees Celsius above normal. Last Wednesday, the maximum temperature was 39.6 degrees Celsius, which was the highest temperature ever recorded in this season.

Since the last week of March, Delhi has been facing severe heat wave with maximum temperature exceeding 40 degree Celsius. The Ridge, Pitampura and Sports Complex recorded maximum temperatures of 41 degrees, 41.7 degrees and 42 degrees Celsius respectively on Wednesday.

"The heatwave spell likely is to continue over most parts of Northwest India and Madhya Pradesh during the next five days." For the plains, a "heatwave" is declared when the maximum temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius and at least 4.5 degrees above normal. A "severe" heatwave is declared if the departure from normal temperature is more than 6.4 degrees, according to the IMD.


IMD officials said that due to prolonged dry weather, the heat has increased in North-West India. IMD Director General Mrityunjay Mohapatra said that there is a possibility of more heat in Northwest India and parts of Central India in April.