A sudden shift in weather has provided much-needed relief to the residents of Delhi-NCR, who have been enduring an intense heatwave for over a month. This change occurred just a day after Delhi experienced its hottest summer night in at least 55 years. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted a generally cloudy sky with the possibility of very light rain and gusty winds throughout the day. Additionally, there is a likelihood of dust storms or thunderstorms accompanied by lightning in North Delhi, North-East Delhi, North-West Delhi, West Delhi, and Central Delhi.
A weather update has alerted people to the chance of light to moderate rains and gusty winds with speeds of 30-50 km/h in Delhi-NCR and nearby areas on Thursday morning. The IMD also predicts a partly cloudy sky with the potential for rain, thunderstorms, or dust storms on Friday and Saturday.
“Rainfall is expected within the next two hours in Manesar, Ballabhgarh, Sonipat, Kharkhoda, Mattanhail, Jhajjar, Farukhnagar, Sohana, and Palwal in Haryana, and in Baraut, Bagpat, Meerut, Khekra, Modinagar, Kithor, Pilakhua, Hapur, Gulaoti, Sikandrabad, and Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh,” the IMD stated in a post on X.
“Light to moderate rain and winds with speeds of 20-30 km/h will occur in and around North Delhi, North-East Delhi, North-West Delhi, West Delhi, Central Delhi, NCR (Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Bahadurgarh, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula), Sonipat, Rohtak, Kharkhoda (Haryana), Bagpat, Khekra, Modinagar, and Pilakhua (U.P.) within the next two hours,” the IMD added in another post on X.
The weather department has also indicated that the monsoon is expected to reach Delhi-NCR around June 30. A red alert has been issued for West Uttar Pradesh for next 2 days.
On Wednesday, Delhi recorded maximum temp of 43.6 degrees Celsius, over four degrees above normal. The minimum temp was 35.2 degrees Celsius, the highest in June since 1969.
Heatwave-Related Deaths
On Wednesday, the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital reported five deaths due to suspected heatstroke, while at least 12 people, mostly daily wage laborers, are in critical condition on ventilator support.