Parts of the national capital reeled under heatwave conditions on Friday as temperatures continued to climb, with the city recording a maximum of 41.9C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The temperature was 4.2 degrees above normal and slightly higher than the previous day.
The highest temperature in the city was recorded at the Ridge station in north Delhi, where the mercury touched 43.1C. The Lodhi Road station also logged 41.8C, placing both locations firmly under heatwave criteria.
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Heatwave conditions and IMD alert
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Saturday, forecasting isolated heatwave conditions across the city. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain in the 42–44C range.
Despite dry and gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 35 kmph, there was little relief from the heat. According to IMD norms, a heatwave is declared when temperatures cross 40C and are at least 4.5 degrees above normal.
An IMD official said that similar conditions are likely to persist on Saturday, with two monitoring stations already meeting the criteria on Friday.
Relief likely next week
Weather experts have indicated that a change in conditions may bring some relief early next week. Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet Weather, said a cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan could lead to light rainfall across northwest India, including Delhi, between April 26 and 28.
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“This could bring a slight dip in temperatures,” he said.
The IMD has also forecast partly cloudy skies on Sunday, with chances of thundershowers by Monday evening and light rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Alongside the rising heat, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping from 176 (“moderate”) to 226 (“poor”), according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The AQI is expected to remain in the “poor” category until Sunday.
