New Delhi, June 8 -- Delhi and large parts of northwest India are expected to experience a sharp rise in temperatures over the coming days, with forecasters predicting a renewed spell of hot and humid conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that this period of elevated temperatures may persist until mid-June, after which the southwest monsoon is expected to resume its forward movement.
On Sunday, the Capital registered a maximum temperature of 42.1degC at the Safdarjung observatory, exceeding the seasonal average by 2.1degC. Minimum temperatures across the city ranged between 26degC and 29.2degC, with Ayanagar reporting the highest minimum at 29.2degC. Relative humidity stood at 31% in the evening.
"There is a possibility of heatwave conditions returning in parts of northwest India, specifically west Rajasthan from around June 9," said Naresh Kumar, a senior IMD scientist. "In parts of Punjab, Haryana, UP and MP, heatwave is likely on June 10. It may possibly touch 43 to 44degC in Delhi-NCR too."
Despite the rising temperatures, IMD has not yet issued a heatwave alert for Delhi. The current conditions fall short of the heatwave threshold, defined as a maximum temperature above 40degC with a departure of 4.5degC or more from normal, or any reading above 45degC in the plains.
The IMD has forecast that the mercury in the Capital could climb by another 3 to 4degC over the next five days. On Sunday, various parts of Delhi-NCR recorded high temperatures - Palam touched 43.6degC, Lodi Road 42.3degC, Ridge 42.9degC, and Ayanagar peaked at 44.1degC.
Mahesh Palawat, vice president of meteorology and climate change at Skymet, said, "Western disturbances and cyclonic circulations that were bringing some relief have now weakened. Dry northwesterly winds will continue to dominate, pushing temperatures up. Humidity will also rise, but no rain is expected before June 12."
According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon's advance has remained halted since around June 29 due to a surge of dry air and weak monsoon flow. Extended forecasts suggest that progress may resume between June 12 and 18, likely beginning with southern and eastern parts of the country. "Models suggest that at least till June 12, the monsoon will remain weak," said M Rajeevan, former secretary of the Union ministry of earth sciences. "The frequency of such pauses during monsoon advancement seems to be increasing."
In contrast to the current heat, May ended with record rainfall in Delhi - 184.6mm for the month, the highest since 1901. The city also experienced an unusually mild summer with no heatwave days last month, unlike the previous year when temperatures had soared past 46degC. While the Capital endures the heat, rainfall activity is likely to pick up across the southern peninsula and northeastern states starting June 10, with isolated heavy showers predicted in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. "After three to four days, the monsoon will revive across the entire southern peninsula," Kumar added. Heatwave conditions, meanwhile, are expected to prevail over parts of west Rajasthan from June 8 to 10, and over Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh between June 9 and 11.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.