The India Meteorological Department has predicted a gradual rise in temperatures in Delhi-NCR in the coming days, with heatwave conditions likely to develop in the capital between May 16 and May 20.
The meteorological agency has also issued a red color warning for heat wave over Rajasthan on Wednesday, while similar conditions are expected to continue over Gujarat, Maharashtra and western parts of Madhya Pradesh till Thursday.
According to the IMD, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are expected over Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, East Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Punjab during the day. Similar weather conditions were also predicted in Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Mahe, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.
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Delhi-NCR sees a brief respite before temperatures rise again
Parts of Noida witnessed light rains and strong winds on Tuesday evening, bringing temporary relief from the heat. However, temperatures in Delhi remained high and humid conditions continued across the city.
On Tuesday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius, which was 0.5 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 27.6 degrees Celsius, 2.2 degrees above the seasonal average.
Humidity hovered between 68 percent and 39 percent during the day, adding to the discomfort despite occasional cloud cover and an evening wind.
During the past 24 hours, easterly winds of 15-20 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 41 km/h, swept across the capital.
Meanwhile, Noida and Ghaziabad recorded maximum temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius.
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Rain and thunderstorms likely in Delhi today
The IMD has predicted partly clear skies over Delhi on Wednesday along with the possibility of light rain and thundershowers in a few areas of the capital.
According to the forecast, the wind is supposed to blow at a speed of 30-40 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 50 km/h during the day.
The minimum temperature in the capital is expected to remain around 27 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 38 degrees Celsius.
According to the Meteorological Department, temperatures in Delhi may gradually rise by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius over the next seven days.
While minimum temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged for the next four days, they may increase by 1-2 degrees Celsius thereafter.
Heat conditions likely in Delhi from May 16 onwards
The Met office has warned that heat waves could return to Delhi between May 16 and May 20, with maximum temperatures likely to cross the 40 degree Celsius mark during this period.
The IMD advises children, senior citizens and people suffering from chronic diseases to remain cautious as rising temperatures can worsen health conditions.
The department also advised wearing light and loose cotton clothing to minimize the impact of extreme heat.
Rajasthan records the highest temperature in the country
Several states across the country continued to reel under intense heat during the last 24 hours.
According to the IMD, maximum temperatures of 42 degrees Celsius or more were recorded in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Marathwada, Vidarbha, most parts of West Madhya Pradesh and some areas of central Maharashtra.
Temperatures in the range of 34 to 42 degrees Celsius were recorded in most parts of Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Rayalaseema, Karnataka, Konkan and Goa, Telangana and East Madhya Pradesh.
The highest maximum temperature in the country was recorded at 48.3 degrees Celsius in Barmer.
But in the rest of the country, temperatures remained below 34 degrees Celsius.
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Heavy rainfall is forecast over the Northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
While several northern and western states continue to experience extreme heat, the IMD on Wednesday predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall over northeastern parts of the country and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Thunderstorms accompanied by hail are also likely over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand during the day.
Additionally, the IMD has predicted hot and humid weather over coastal Karnataka.
