Severe heatwave stifles Delhi, max temp rises to 43 deg C in some parts

A 'severe heatwave' scorched Delhi on Friday, with the Safdarjung Observatory, its base station, recording a maximum temperature of 41.6 degrees Celsius, seven notches above normal and the highest this year so far, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The meteorological office has issued an orange alert, warning of a severe heatwave in the national capital on Saturday too.

Barring two, all automatic weather stations in the city recorded maximum temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius on Friday, IMD data showed.

The maximum temperature at most places in Delhi was recorded at least seven degrees above normal.

The weather stations at Mungeshpur, Najafgarh, Pitampura and Sports Complex recorded maximum temperatures of 43 degrees Celsius, 43.3 degrees Celsius, 43.4 degrees Celsius, and 43.9 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The heatwave is likely to intensify further, and the maximum temperature at the Safdarjung Observatory may touch the 42-degree Celsius mark on Saturday, the IMD said.

However, cloudy conditions may bring some relief from the stifling heat from Tuesday.

The IMD uses four colour codes for weather warnings -- green (no action needed), yellow (watch and stay updated), orange (be prepared) and red (take action).

Parts of the national capital have been reeling under a heatwave since last week with their maximum temperatures hovering above 40 degrees Celsius.

IMD officials said a prolonged dry spell has led to "severe" hot weather conditions in northwest India.

The weather department said northwest India and adjoining parts of central India are predicted to see more intense and frequent heatwave conditions in April.

"The frequency of intense heatwave conditions will be higher in April as compared to March. We expect the heatwave conditions to continue till April 15 in some parts," an official said.

For the plains, 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 notches, according to the IMD.

India recorded its warmest March in 122 years with a severe heatwave scorching large swathes of the country during the month.

The weather department attributed the heat to the lack of rainfall due to the absence of active western disturbances over north India and any major system over south India.

The country as a whole recorded a rainfall of 8.9 mm, which was 71 per cent less than its long period average rainfall of 30.4 mm. It was also the third-lowest precipitation in March since 1901 after 7.2 mm in 1909 and 8.7 mm in 1908.