Heatwave Grips India With 21 Cities Hitting 42°C; Delhi To Remain Under Extreme Heat

As many as 21 cities across India reportedly recorded temperatures of 42 degrees Celsius or higher today. Several parts of the country are reeling under an intense heatwave. The scorching heat is likely to continue, especially in Delhi, which will remain under heatwave conditions for the next two days.

On Sunday, the national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius, which is 3.1 notches above the seasonal average, according to the IMD. The minimum temperature of the national capital was 18.5 degrees Celsius, which was 1.5 notches below the seasonal average. Meanwhile, the relative humidity oscillated between 43 per cent and 27 per cent. The IMD has forecast mainly clear sky with a heat wave for Monday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be around 41 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius, respectively.

According to the six-day forecast issued by the weather body, the national capital will experience heatwave conditions with the maximum temperature ranging between 39 and 42 degrees Celsius. The air quality was in the ‘poor’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 209 at 4 pm, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An AQI between 0-50 is considered ‘good,’ 51-100 ‘satisfactory,’ 101-200 ‘moderate,’ 201-300 ‘poor,’ 301-400 ‘very poor,’ and 401-500 ‘severe.’ 

The weather body has also warned of a heatwave in parts of Rajasthan.According to the meteorological department, the day temperature in the state is likely to increase by three to four notches in the next two to three days.

On April 6-7, the maximum temperature may be 44-45 degrees Celsius in parts of southwest Rajasthan, while some areas in the east may record maximum temperatures in the range of 42 to 44 degrees Celsius. Heatwave is likely to prevail in some parts of southern Rajasthan from today, the weather department said, adding that both the intensity and the area covered would increase in the next two to three days. There is a warning of a strong heatwave in some parts of the state from April 6 to 8.