The national capital was gripped by an intense heatwave on Friday, with the mercury at the Safdarjung base station soaring to 41.9°C, marking the hottest day of the season so far. The temperature was 4.2 notches above the normal average, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a yellow alert for the weekend. While the city center simmered, localized pockets experienced even more extreme conditions; the Ridge station in North Delhi recorded a blistering 43.1°C, while Lodhi Road followed closely at 41.8°C. These figures officially met the heatwave criteria, which requires temperatures to cross the 40°C threshold with a departure of at least 4.5°C from the seasonal norm.
Despite the presence of dry, gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 35 km/h, residents found little respite as the urban heat island effect kept nighttime temperatures elevated at nearly 25°C. Forecasters predict that the “loo” winds and clear skies will likely push temperatures further into the 42°C to 44°C range by Saturday afternoon. However, relief may be on the horizon; a developing cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan is expected to bring cloudy skies and a chance of light rain or thundershowers by April 28. In the meantime, health officials have advised citizens to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor exposure during peak afternoon hours, as the air quality has also deteriorated into the ‘poor’ category due to the prevailing dry conditions and dust.
