Heatwave likely to be back next week, says IMD

Gurgaon: Light rain and gusty winds on Wednesday evening provided the much needed heat break to residents. The minimum temperature was recorded at 28.2 degrees Celsius — five degrees above normal, while the maximum temperature stood at 40.5 degrees Celsius —one degree above the normal.
However, this relief is just temporary as according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) the maximum temperature will be around 45 degrees Celsius again from next week and the heatwave will be back.
“The maximum temperature will be around 45 degrees Celsius next week. There are no major western disturbances after May 4. Gurgaon is likely to witness heatwave from next week,” said independent meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya.
A heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius and at least 4.5 notches above normal. A severe heatwave is declared if the departure from normal temperature is more than 6.4 degrees, according to the IMD.
So far, summer months have already been harsh for people in the region. On April 30, Gurgaon’s maximum temperature was recorded at 46.2°c. It had recorded a maximum temperature of 45.6°c on April 29. Before this the highest in the month of April was 44.8 degrees on April 28, 1979, according to IMD.
Meanwhile, the city’s air quality index (AQI) remained in the “very poor” quality with a reading of 346 on Wednesday. At Vikas Sadan, the AQI was 362, at Sector 51 it was 356 and at Teri Gram it was 319 at 5pm.
Meanwhile, hailstorm and rains in several parts of the city gave Delhiites much needed respite from the heat on Wednesday. The relief is expected to continue with cloudy skies and a possibility of thundershowers on Thursday as well.
The rough weather, including gusty winds, also led to three flights — one from Sharjah and two from Mumbai — being diverted to Jaipur for safety in the evening, said sources at Delhi airport.
Several areas, including Rohini, Pitampura, Najafgarh, Ashok Vihar and Paschim Vihar, reported hailstorm along with rain and strong winds. Ayanagar recorded 2.4mm rainfall while Pitampura recorded 7.5mm, respectively, till 5.30pm.
The maximum temperature on Wednesday was recorded at 39.1 degrees Celsius, a notch above the season’s average, against 38.4 degrees Celsius a day earlier. The minimum temperature was recorded at 28.8 degrees Celsius, four notches above the season’s average, against 28.5 degrees Celsius a day earlier. The humidity at Safdarjung oscillated between 37% and 66%. Air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category, with AQI recorded at 269. On Thursday, the maximum and minimum temperature may hover around 39 and 25 degrees Celsius, with possibility of thundershowers, the IMD said.