Delhi residents endured another scorching day on Saturday as the capital city continued to grapple with severe heatwave conditions, marking the fourth consecutive day with temperatures soaring above 44 degrees Celsius (°C). According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this relentless heatwave is expected to persist until at least Wednesday, with no immediate relief in sight.Maximum temperature surpassed Saturday saw temperatures escalate further, with the maximum peaking at 44.6°C, significantly surpassing the seasonal average by six degrees. The IMD categorizes a day as a heatwave when temperatures rise 4.5°C above normal, a criterion that has been consistently met since Wednesday.Severe situation This persistent heatwave has set a challenging record for June, with IMDs Safdarjung station recording five heatwave days already this month, the highest since 2014. At other weather stations across Delhi, the situation was equally severe. Palam reported a high of 45°C, while Lodhi Road recorded 44.7°C. The Ridge and Ayanagar stations registered even higher temperatures at 45.5°C and 46°C respectively, meeting the IMDs criteria for a severe heatwave.Orange alert till June 18 In response to these extreme conditions, IMD has issued an orange alert valid until June 18, followed by a yellow alert for the subsequent two days. These alerts serve to caution residents, advising them to prepare adequately for the heat exposure. Meanwhile, nighttime temperatures have also remained unusually high, qualifying as warm nights as per IMD standards. The minimum temperature in Delhi dropped marginally to 32.4°C on Saturday, following a reading of 33.3°C on Friday, both well above the norm.Minimum temperature to persist IMD scientists attribute this rise in nighttime temperatures to a combination of factors including hot, dry winds during the day and moderate cloud cover at night, which traps heat near the ground, preventing its escape into the atmosphere. Looking ahead, IMD forecasts maximum temperatures to persist above 45°C in the coming days, with minimums expected to hover around 32°C until June 20, exacerbating the discomfort for Delhiites already grappling with the intense summer conditions.As Delhi continues to endure this extended heatwave, residents are urged to take necessary precautions to mitigate its effects, staying hydrated and avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun during peak hours.
