At 43.4°C, Delhi logs hottest May day in 2 years amid heatwave alert

Residents in Delhi have started feeling the summer heat at its worst as the city recorded its hottest day of the season on Monday, with temperatures nearing 44 degrees Celsius in several parts. The Safdarjung station, Delhi's primary weather centre, recorded a maximum temperature of 43.4 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest day this month so far.

The weather office said Tuesday is expected to remain similarly harsh, with heatwave conditions continuing and maximum temperatures likely touching 45 degrees Celsius in parts of the capital.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the ongoing spell of extreme heat across north and central India is likely to persist through the week, with Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region among the worst affected.

According to the IMD, Safdarjung, Delhi’s base station, recorded a maximum of 43.4 degrees Celsius, while the Ridge station was the hottest at 44.6 degrees Celsius, official data said.

Lodhi Road logged 43.8 degrees Celsius, nearly five degrees above normal. The conditions made Monday the hottest May day in the city in nearly two years. Dry, scorching winds sweeping in from the Thar Desert intensified the heat in the capital.

"The northwesterly winds are sweeping into the national capital from the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan and parts of central Pakistan. Travelling across vast arid stretches, these winds turn intensely dry by the time they reach Delhi, trapping heat close to the surface and sharply intensifying the searing conditions across the city," a weather department official said.

The prolonged heat also pushed Delhi’s power demand to 7,542 MW on Monday, the highest recorded so far this summer. Residents have also been advised to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel during peak afternoon hours and stay hydrated to evade the ill effects of the blazing heat.

With no forecast of thunderstorms or pre-monsoon showers over the next several days, officials said there is little immediate relief in sight.

Across the NCR, heat remained severe in neighbouring parts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Gurugram recorded 42 degrees Celsius, while Rohtak touched 45.2 degrees.

In western Uttar Pradesh, the IMD has forecast from heatwave to severe heatwave conditions from Tuesday through May 24, with some districts likely to see temperatures near 46 degrees Celsius.

Also, parts of Punjab and Rajasthan saw some of the highest readings of the day. Bathinda touched 47 degrees Celsius, while Pilani and Chittorgarh recorded 46.2 degrees each. Jaipur crossed 43 degrees as dry conditions prevailed across the state.

The weather agency said temperatures across northwest India may rise by another two to three degrees over the next few days, keeping Delhi and large parts of the plains under prolonged heat stress as the southwest monsoon slowly advances towards the southern coast.