On Wednesday, Delhi experienced its warmest April night in three years. The temperature dropped to 25.6°C, which is 5.6°C higher than normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The heat is rising in Delhi and other parts of India as summer gets serious, leading to heatwaves.
Previously, warm night conditions were just noted at the Palam station. But today, all five major weather stations in Delhi reported the same high temperatures. Last year, the lowest temperature recorded in April was around 26.2°C, but both 2023 and 2024 didn’t see temperatures reach 25°C during this month.
The IMD predicts a partly cloudy day ahead and has issued a yellow alert for heatwaves in Delhi, expecting the maximum temperature to be around 40°C on Wednesday, April 9th.
In addition, air quality in Delhi was rated ‘poor’, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 233 at 9 am. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) explains that an AQI from 0 to 50 is ‘good’, 51 to 100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 is ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 is ‘poor’, 301 to 400 is ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 is ‘severe’.
Heat Hits Across India
Many states in north, central, and western India are feeling the heat, with temperatures hitting a blazing 46.4°C in Rajasthan’s Barmer on Tuesday. The IMD reported that 27 weather stations recorded temperatures of 43°C or higher in states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, with 19 of those stations experiencing heat or severe heatwave conditions.
According to the IMD, a heatwave occurs when the maximum temperature is at least 40°C in the plains, 37°C along the coast, and 30°C in hilly areas, with temperatures 4.5°C to 6.4°C above the usual levels. A severe heatwave is declared when temperatures are 6.5°C higher than normal. Additionally, a heatwave condition can also be declared if the temperature hits 45°C, with a severe status at 47°C, no matter the normal temperature level.
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