The capital is enduring a slow-burn siege, as the season's harshest heatwave tightens its grip — without much warning, without much mercy.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast intense heat over Delhi through midweek, with temperatures already nudging record territory and the city staring down another day near 45°C.
On Tuesday, Delhi recorded its highest temperature of the season — a searing 43.8°C, 3.6 degrees above normal — with the heat index pushing the limits of urban tolerance.
IMD issued an orange alert for the city through Wednesday, noting that the conditions are ripe for continued heat stress, particularly in the densely built-up central and western zones of Delhi.
Meteorologists attribute the worsening conditions to the weakening of recent western disturbances, which, after departing, have left behind trapped moisture. This, coupled with the absence of monsoonal winds over northwestern India, has made the heat not just intense, but also oppressively humid.
According to the IMD, daytime highs are expected to hover near 45°C, with nights barely dipping below 29°C, offering little respite.
There is a faint possibility of relief from June 12, with isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) predicted, but the forecast remains uncertain and conditional on wind pattern shifts.
Rajasthan under a blazing red alert
If Delhi is simmering, parts of Rajasthan are ablaze. Ganganagar has recorded over 47°C for two days in a row, prompting the IMD to issue a red alert for western Rajasthan on June 11 and 12.
An orange alert has been announced for June 13, with yellow alerts for eastern districts following close behind. Relief is not expected before June 15–16, when thunderstorm activity may bring marginal cooling.
North India’s discomfort zone widens
The heatwave is not limited to Delhi and Rajasthan. In Ludhiana, IMD issued a yellow alert through Thursday, with temperatures hovering around 44°C. Himachal Pradesh — typically a refuge from the plains — is reporting temperatures well above normal, with Una logging 44.2°C.
Even hill stations like Shimla and Manali are warmer than usual. Light rain is expected across Himachal on June 13–14, but until then, dry heat will dominate.
As North India bakes under a dome of hot air, Delhi’s weather remains emblematic of the broader regional crisis — quiet, persistent, and increasingly hard to ignore.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast intense heat over Delhi through midweek, with temperatures already nudging record territory and the city staring down another day near 45°C.
On Tuesday, Delhi recorded its highest temperature of the season — a searing 43.8°C, 3.6 degrees above normal — with the heat index pushing the limits of urban tolerance.
IMD issued an orange alert for the city through Wednesday, noting that the conditions are ripe for continued heat stress, particularly in the densely built-up central and western zones of Delhi.
Meteorologists attribute the worsening conditions to the weakening of recent western disturbances, which, after departing, have left behind trapped moisture. This, coupled with the absence of monsoonal winds over northwestern India, has made the heat not just intense, but also oppressively humid.
According to the IMD, daytime highs are expected to hover near 45°C, with nights barely dipping below 29°C, offering little respite.
There is a faint possibility of relief from June 12, with isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) predicted, but the forecast remains uncertain and conditional on wind pattern shifts.
Rajasthan under a blazing red alert
If Delhi is simmering, parts of Rajasthan are ablaze. Ganganagar has recorded over 47°C for two days in a row, prompting the IMD to issue a red alert for western Rajasthan on June 11 and 12. An orange alert has been announced for June 13, with yellow alerts for eastern districts following close behind. Relief is not expected before June 15–16, when thunderstorm activity may bring marginal cooling.
North India’s discomfort zone widens
The heatwave is not limited to Delhi and Rajasthan. In Ludhiana, IMD issued a yellow alert through Thursday, with temperatures hovering around 44°C. Himachal Pradesh — typically a refuge from the plains — is reporting temperatures well above normal, with Una logging 44.2°C. Even hill stations like Shimla and Manali are warmer than usual. Light rain is expected across Himachal on June 13–14, but until then, dry heat will dominate.
As North India bakes under a dome of hot air, Delhi’s weather remains emblematic of the broader regional crisis — quiet, persistent, and increasingly hard to ignore.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
