Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
New Delhi: Parts of Delhi saw the mercury crossing 40 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Though India Meteorological Department has forecast that the maximum temperature is likely to stay below 40 degrees Celsius over the next seven days, the data from the past year shows that the period from mid-April to the first week of June is tough, with increased chances of heatwave conditions.
Five heatwave days were recorded in April and May last year, while 13 heatwaves were recorded in 2023, according to IMD’s data for Safdarjung, the city’s base station. However, the count was higher in some other stations in Delhi.
IMD defines a heatwave day when the maximum is 4.5 degrees and more above the normal temperature, and the maximum is at least 40 degrees Celsius. A heatwave is also considered if the maximum temperature touches 45 degrees Celsius or above. A severe heatwave is declared when the maximum is 6.5 degrees and more above normal.
“The temperatures started dipping from Thursday, but it is expected to remain above normal. Since the summer season has started, the mercury is expected to rise as per the climatology and prevailing weather systems. However, heatwaves are usually recorded between mid-April and the first week of June,” said a Met official. He added that some areas might record higher or lower temperatures depending on local conditions and the urban heat-island effect.
IMD’s data from 2013 shows that the highest number of heatwaves was recorded in 2022, when 13 heatwaves were seen in April and May. Six each were reported in 2013 and 2017.
Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of Skymet Meteorology, said, “The chances of heatwaves to severe heatwaves increase from mid-April to early June before the arrival of the monsoon. As northwesterly winds from Pakistan bring warm air, it causes the temperatures to rise.”
Vishwas Chitale, senior programme lead at Council on Energy, Environment and Water, said, “While IMD has predicted above-normal heatwaves for most parts of northwest India, cities like Delhi are particularly vulnerable. Being centres of urbanisation, they are warming at twice the rate compared to the rest of the country due to the heat island effect, and hence, require more timely measures.”
He added, “It is essential for the heat action plans of such cities to shift the focus from response to preparedness to long-term heat risk mitigation.” Cities should identify local, city-level heat stress thresholds and have more granular mapping of highly vulnerable populations and the actions for whom they can be prioritised to minimise the impact on lives and livelihoods.
Mayank Rawat
