Delhi Heatwave Continues, No Significant Respite Expected Till May 28

The four-day heatwave streak abated on Friday, but the city remained in the grip of intense heat. Though there is a possibility of a thundery development on Saturday under the influence of a feeble western disturbance, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said no significant respite is expected, and heatwave conditions are likely in parts of the city till at least May 28. The maximum temperature at Safdarjung, Delhi's base station, was 43.3 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal. At 44.4°C, north Delhi's Ridge observatory was the hottest station in the city. Though no station in Delhi met the heatwave criteria on Friday, Met officials said heatwave conditions prevailed over the meteorological sub-division of Haryana and Chandigarh, with its impact felt in Delhi. IMD declares a heatwave when the maximum temperature touches 45°C or is above 40°C with a departure of more than 4.5 notches above normal. "Saturday's thundery development in Delhi may cause a dip in temperatures by 1 to 2°C. However, the mercury will again rise on Sunday and hence, no relief from intense heat is expected over the next six days," said an IMD official. The Met department has issued an orange alert for heatwave conditions from Saturday to May 28 in parts of the city. The mercury is predicted to hover between 43 and 45°C on Saturday, and 44 and 46°C from Sunday to May 28. The minimum on Friday was 29.3°C, three notches above normal, but the city did not meet the 'warm night' criteria. The IMD declares a 'warm night' when the maximum temperature is over 40°C and the departure of the minimum is 4.5 notches or more above the normal. Delhi reeled under the season's first warm night on Thursday when the minimum rose to 31.9°C, five notches above normal. It was also the warmest May night since May 27, 2012, when the temperature was 34.2°C. The minimum temperature is likely to stay between 27 and 29°C on Saturday and 29 to 31°C on Monday.