Weather update: IMD issues heatwave alert in Delhi for today

A heatwave alert has been issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas for Monday. This alert from the met department comes only a day after the maximum temperature breached the 45 degrees Celsius mark in some parts of the national capital. According to the weather office, Delhi's Najafgarh reported 46.3 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

The minimum temperature in Delhi, on the other hand, was recorded at 24 degrees Celsius on Sunday, three notches below normal. Meanwhile, the relative humidity oscillated between 25% and 74%. The met department has predicted the maximum temperature to hover around 43 degrees Celsius on Monday and Tuesday. Furthermore, strong surface winds are also predicted during the day in the national capital.

However, Delhiites are set to experience some relief from Wednesday onwards when the mercury might drop down below 40 degrees Celsius. The IMD also predicted light rain in the region due to a western disturbance. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality deteriorated from "moderate" on Saturday to "poor" on Sunday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 215 as against 186 a day earlier.

As per the IMD, a heatwave day is when the maximum temperature is 4.5 degrees Celsius and more above normal, or the maximum temperature is at least 40 degrees Celsius. It is also considered a heatwave if the maximum temperature reaches 45 degrees Celsius or more. A "severe" heatwave is declared if the maximum is 6.5 degrees Celsius and more above normal.

According to the head of IMD's Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, Kuldeep Srivastava, "Northwesterly winds from Punjab and Haryana, which are recording high temperatures, are bringing warm air to Delhi." "There has been no cloudiness, and no rainfall activity has been recently recorded in the plains or hills leading to a rise in temperature," news outlet Times of India quoted Srivastava as saying.

In its guidelines, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) advised people not to venture outside during a heatwave. Drink sufficient water and wear lightweight, loose, light-colored, and porous cotton clothes to battle the heat. When going outside, individuals should use an umbrella or a hat and also use a damp cloth on their head, face, limbs, and neck to keep their body temperature right.