Heatwave in Delhi: Weather office issues ‘orange’ alert warning; read latest weather report

The national capital reeled under a heatwave condition for the fourth day in a row on Sunday with the India Meteorological Department predicting similar conditions for the next two days.The Met has put out an 'orange' alert warning for a severe heatwave on Monday.

The India Meteorological Department plies four colour codes for weather warnings -- green (no action needed), yellow (watch and stay updated), orange (be prepared) and red (take action).

Delhi has logged four heatwave days so far in April this year, equalling the number of such days in the month in 2017. For the plains, a 'heatwave' is declared when the maximum temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius and at least 4.5 notches above normal. A 'severe heatwave' is declared if the departure from normal temperature is over 6.4 notches, as per the IMD.

The Sports Complex station was the hottest place in the capital with a maximum temperature of 44.1 degrees Celsius. The mercury settled above 42 degrees Celsius at most areas. The Safdarjung Observatory, considered the official marker for the city, recorded a maximum temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius, six notches above normal. On Saturday, it had recorded a high of 42.4 degrees Celsius, the highest in April in five years.

This is also the first time in 72 years that Delhi has logged such a high temperature in the first half of April.

The national capital had logged a maximum temperature of 43.2 degrees Celsius on April 21, 2017. The all-time highest maximum temperature for the month was 45.6 degrees Celsius on April 29, 1941.

Cloudy conditions may bring some respite from the extreme heat from Tuesday, the IMD said.

Many areas of the national capital have been reeling under a heatwave since last week with maximum temperatures going over 40 degrees Celsius.

According to the weather department, northwest India and adjoining areas of central India are predicted to see more intense and frequent heatwave conditions in April.

Vice-president (Meteorology And Climate Change), Skymet Weather, Mahesh Palawat, said it is an aberration that the maximum temperature has defied the 45-degree mark in some parts of northwest India in the first 10 days of the month.

There has been no pre-monsoon activity, which includes dust storms and thundershowers, in the region thus far. Long-range models have also not forecasted any notable weather system in the next 15 days, he said.

There is a good chance that the national capital may record a higher-than-usual number of heatwave conditions in April, said Mahesh Palawat.

This year, India recorded its warmest March in 122 years with a severe heatwave scorching large swathes of the country during the month.

The weather office credited the heat to the lack of rainfall because of the lack of active western disturbances over north India and any major system over south India.

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