‘Polling day will be dry and hot’: Voting in Delhi amid red alert for heatwave on May 25

The India Meteorological Department has forecasted severe heatwave conditions for Delhi on May 25, resulting in a red alert for the national capital as residents prepare to vote in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Hindustan Times reported, quoting weather officials.

Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of Skymet Weather and a private Indian weather forecaster, told HT, “Our warnings indicate that temperatures are likely to reach high heatwave levels, but voting is crucial, and measures are being taken to prevent emergencies.” He noted that temperatures are expected to rise to at least 45°C on Saturday, the polling day.

Also read: Heatwave warning for North India: Delhi, 4 other states on red alert today; IMD predicts heavy showers for Kerala

He added, “The wind direction has changed to easterly briefly. There is a cyclonic circulation over Haryana, which can cause isolated thunderstorms. But humidity is only 30%, so, there is no moisture. It is almost dry."

Palawat pointed out that polling day will be dry and hot. Clear skies with high-velocity winds will prevail. He urged Delhi residents to be prepared for heatwave conditions on the day.

Also read: Weather update: IMD predicts heavy rainfall in THESE states till May 24. Check details here

IMD's weather bulletin dated May 21 states that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions is very likely in many/most pockets over Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, West Rajasthan; in some parts of West Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan & northwest Madhya Pradesh during 21st-25th; and in isolated pockets of East Uttar Pradesh during 21st-25th May 2024.

The weather department noted that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions were observed in some parts of Punjab and many parts of Haryana and Delhi on May 20. Moreover, in some parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, the maximum temperatures soared past 45 degrees Celsius on May 21. 

Also read: Heatwave alert: Jodhpur, Bikaner on red alert, IMD predicts 48 degrees temp in Rajasthan's Pilani in next 48 hours

In Gujarat, heatwave conditions have prevailed since May 15 and in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan since May 17. Due to the soaring temperatures in these northwestern states, the state governments have shut down schools and declared summer vacations early.

Although the Election Commission of India (ECI) has said it has made arrangements to protect voters from the adverse effects of extreme heat, weather officials have urged the public to exercise caution when exposed to the sun.