Delhi weather update: Mercury soars to nearly 50 degrees Celsius amid heatwave alert

Delhiites witnessed a scorching heatwave on Tuesday, May 28, as the maximum temperature in the national capital soared close to 50 degrees Celsius. Two weather stations—Mungeshpur and Narela—observed the high temperature touching 49.9 degrees Celsius yesterday. 

The manual observatories at Aya Nagar and Ridge near Delhi University surpassed their previous maximum temperature records, reaching 47.6 degrees Celsius and 47.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The city's Safdarjung Observatory, Najafgarh, Pitampura, and Pusa also recorded their highest temperatures: 45.8 degrees Celsius, 49.8 degrees Celsius, and 48.5 degrees Celsius, respectively. 

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for May 29 and 30 in six states: Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Western UP, and Madhya Pradesh.

“It is now the second week since the heat wave to severe heatwave persisted in North-West India. The temperature exceeded 47 degrees Celsius. We had issued a Red Alert. For tomorrow, a red alert has been sounded in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Western UP and Madhya Pradesh. Heatwave to severe heat wave will prevail," said IMD Scientist Dr Naresh Kumar. 

“Afterwards, there will be an impact of western disturbance. The temperature will drop. There will be gradual improvement afterwards. Clouds were seen in the Arabian Sea. Monsoon onset is possible in the next 3-4 days in Kerala. It can extend upward," the IMD official added. 

The IMD has forecast a higher number of heatwave days in northwest India and adjoining parts of the central region in June.

“Normally, northwest India and the adjoining areas record two to three heatwave days in June. This time, we expect four to six days of heatwave in this region," IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra had said.

Delhi's local government also restricted the supply of water because of the heat. It said water levels in the Yamuna River, the main source, were low.

The city does not have an uninterrupted water supply at any time, but the government said neighbourhoods which received water for some hours two times a day would be subject to further restrictions.

"I appeal to all the residents that whether there is a water problem in your area or not, please use water very carefully," the local government's Water Minister Atishi, who used only one name, said on Tuesday.

The Met department declares a heat wave when the maximum temperature of a region is 4.5 C to 6.4 C higher than usual, while a severe heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature is 6.5 C higher than normal or more.

(With inputs from agencies)