Delhi Heatwave Looms: Yellow Alert Issued

Delhi experienced high temperatures, with the mercury reaching 44.6°C at both Ridge and Ayanagar stations. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a "yellow alert" for potential heatwave conditions, expected to persist until Wednesday. This classification occurs when maximum temperatures exceed 40°C with a departure of 4.5°C above normal, or over 45°C on plains.

Sunday night saw dusty, gusty winds contributing to a hazy atmosphere across Delhi and surrounding regions. Despite the haze, flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport remained normal. The dust is anticipated to linger in the upper atmosphere, potentially keeping night temperatures above 30°C.

However, the city can anticipate relief starting May 28. An active western disturbance is predicted to bring light rain to northwest India, signaling a cooler end to the month. Officials predict isolated drizzle and winds up to 60 km/hr on Monday, which could offer a brief temperature dip.

This month has seen a stark contrast, with the first half remaining cooler. Since May 16, however, temperatures have consistently exceeded 40°C, peaking at 45.1°C on May 19. This year has seen six consecutive heatwave days, a significant increase compared to the previous May.