Delhi hits 40.2 degrees, season's first heatwave alert issued, conditions expected to intensify

Delhi: Delhi saw its season's highest temperature on Monday when the mercury hit 40.2 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung, 5.1 degrees more than normal. The peak was reported during a heatwave alert declared for the national capital and in parts of northwest and central India by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) early this week.

Temperature will be 40 to 42 degrees Celsius

The Palam temperature climbed to 39.5 degrees Celsius, four degrees above the seasonal average. Yellow alert for Monday and Tuesday has been issued for Delhi. The Met Department has predicted heatwave conditions for parts of the city from Monday to Wednesday. The temperature will reach its peak of 40 to 42 degrees Celsius. On Sunday, the city's central weather station Safdarjung registered a maximum of 38.2 degrees Celsius, three degrees higher than average. The top on Saturday was 35.7 degrees. The highest reading this season at Safdarjung was 39 degrees on April 3.

Air quality in Delhi continues to remain in the 'poor' category

At the same time, the air quality in Delhi continues to remain in the 'poor' category. Heatwave conditions would also prevail over northern and central India. Isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh could be hit on April 7. Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab would see similar conditions from April 7 to 10. Western Uttar Pradesh could have a heatwave from April 7 to 9, and Madhya Pradesh from April 8 to 10. Around 21 cities in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha and Rajasthan are also likely to experience high temperatures in the days ahead.