Severe Heatwave Alert Issued for Delhi and Surrounding Regions

Heatwave Warning for Delhi and Neighboring States
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced a heatwave warning for Delhi, effective until Friday.
Forecasts indicate that maximum temperatures could soar between 43°C and 45°C.
Additionally, a heatwave alert has been issued for Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Rajasthan.
The IMD defines a heatwave as occurring when temperatures exceed 40°C in the plains, 37°C in coastal regions, and 30°C in hilly areas.
On Wednesday, Delhi recorded a peak temperature of 43.3°C, with the IMD reporting a heat index of 51.9°C by evening, according to local media.
The heat index reflects how hot it feels to the human body when humidity is factored in with the air temperature.
Relief from the oppressive heat is anticipated by this weekend, with thunderstorms and winds reaching speeds of 50 km/h expected.
Naresh Kumar, a scientist at the IMD, mentioned that a western disturbance is predicted to impact northwest India starting Friday night, potentially bringing rain and thunderstorms to Delhi.
This year, India recorded its warmest February since 1901, with an average temperature increase of 1.34°C, rising from 20.70°C to 22.04°C.
In 2024, the country experienced 536 heatwave days, the highest count in 14 years, with approximately 40% of the nation facing double the usual number of heatwave days from April to June.
The IMD compiles heatwave days across all 36 meteorological subdivisions, meaning that if five subdivisions experience a heatwave, it counts as five heatwave days.
This extreme weather has led to around 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases and over 100 fatalities linked to heat-related conditions during one of the longest and hottest heatwaves recorded.