Delhi records temp nearing 50 degree Celsius; north India continues to reel under extreme heat

Delhi on May 28 recorded its all-time high maximum temperature at 49.9 degrees Celsius as north India continues to grapple with extreme heat.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), some areas such as Mungeshpur and Narela, registered temperatures of 49.9 degrees Celsius, which is 9 degrees Celsius above normal. Najafgarh also recorded 49.8 degrees Celsius. 

The IMD said that Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi are currently experiencing long heatwaves, with no respite expected till next two days.

A heatwave is declared in a region “if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius or more for plains, 37 degrees Celsius or more for coastal stations and at least 30 degrees Celsius or more for Hilly region” for two or more days, IMD said.

Apart from Delhi, many places in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have measured record highest maximum temperatures for this season on May 28. Authoritis have issued red alert in the national capital, Haryana-Chandigarh, parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, UP and other north Indian cities till May 29.

The mercury level can be expected to reduce from May 30 as heatwave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to gradually reduce over central and northwest India. The weather body, however, added that warm night conditions will continue to prevail in Delhi and adjoining regions till June 2.

"In open areas with vacant land, there is increased radiation. Direct sunlight and lack of shade make these regions exceptionally hot." He added, "When wind blows from the west, it affects these areas first. As they are on the outskirts, temperatures rise rapidly,” explained Mahesh Palawat, vice president of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather, as reported by a daily national.

Meanwhile, the IMD has forecasted some relief from the heatwave conditions on Friday and Saturday, with the possibility of a thunderstorm and light rain.