Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
New Delhi: Delhi endured a scorching day on Monday, marking the hottest day of the year so far, along with the warmest night in six years. It was also the highest maximum temperature recorded in April over the past three years.
Despite partly cloudy skies, the temperature soared during the day, with Safdarjung—the city’s base weather station—recording a maximum of 41.3°C, four degrees above normal. This exceeded the previous high for the year, which was 41°C on April 4—a day that had been officially classified as a heatwave. The maximum temperature of 41.3 degrees Celsius was also the highest for the month of April in three years, with the previous maximum recorded on April 28, 2022, at 43.5 degrees Celsius.
Although Monday’s temperatures were extreme, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) did not issue a heatwave warning, as the conditions did not meet the formal criteria. On Sunday, the maximum temperature was 39.8°C. Among city stations, the Ridge was the hottest, touching 41.9°C, followed by Palam at 41.1°C, Ayanagar at 40.9°C, Pitampura at 40.8°C, and Lodhi Road at 40.6°C.
The night brought little relief, with a minimum temperature of 26.2°C—again, four degrees above normal. This was the highest minimum temperature in April in six years, matching the reading on April 14, 2022. The last time a warmer April night was recorded was on April 25, 2019, at 28°C. Humidity levels fluctuated between 15% and 74%, and winds from west and southwest reached speeds of up to 8 km/h.
IMD forecasts a slight rise in temperature. “No major change is expected in the next 24 hours, but after that, the mercury may climb by 1–2°C,” an IMD official said. On Tuesday, April 22, maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover between 39–41°C and 24–26°C, respectively. By April 24, the maximum could touch 42°C.
The city’s air quality worsened, shifting from the moderate to the poor category. AQI jumped to 205 from 140 the previous day. However, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology predicts slight improvement. “The air quality is likely to remain in the ‘moderate’ category from April 21 to April 23, 2025. For the following six days, it may range between moderate and poor,” stated the early warning system.
Mayank Rawat
