delhi news
The scorching heatwave season has officially wrapped up in Delhi, and residents couldn’t be happier. With the monsoon expected to arrive within the next four days, the city can finally say goodbye to sweltering temperatures and hello to some much-needed relief.
This year, Delhi’s base weather station in Safdarjung recorded only three heatwave days, all in April. That’s a significant drop compared to last year’s 14 heatwave days. Other parts of the city weren’t so lucky, though, with some areas experiencing up to nine heatwaves between April and June.
What made this year different? Regular rain showers and thunderstorms played a big role in keeping temperatures under control. Krishna Kumar Mishra, a scientist at the India Meteorological Department, explained that heatwave conditions are unlikely to return now.
The first heatwave hit Delhi from April 6 to 10, with Safdarjung experiencing three intense days. May brought frequent rain and thunderstorms, which helped prevent temperatures from soaring above normal levels. The second and final heatwave spell lasted from June 9 to 12, affecting stations like Ayanagar, Lodhi Road, and Ridge.
Interestingly, while Safdarjung didn’t record any heatwaves last year, the summer of 2022 saw 13 heatwave days. This year’s break from extreme heat can be attributed to multiple weather patterns. Mishra pointed to frequent western disturbances, lower-level easterlies from the Bay of Bengal, and south-westerlies from the Arabian Sea as key factors that brought above-normal rainfall in May.
Rainfall numbers tell the story clearly. In May, Safdarjung recorded 186.4mm of rainfall – a staggering 507% above normal. Even June has seen excess rainfall already, with 87.8mm recorded against the normal average of 74.1mm, and the monsoon hasn’t even settled in yet.
For those wondering what qualifies as a heatwave, IMD defines it as a day when maximum temperatures are at least 4.5 degrees above normal and reach 40 degrees Celsius or higher. If the mercury hits 45 degrees or more, it’s automatically classified as a heatwave. Severe heatwaves occur when temperatures climb 6.5 degrees or more above normal.
The relief comes just in time for Delhi’s residents, who have endured their share of extreme summers in recent years. With cooler days and regular rains on the horizon, the city can finally take a deep breath and enjoy the break from oppressive heat.
