Don’t step out between 1-5 pm: Red alert for Delhi, north Indian states as heat wave intensifies

Heat is here to stay! The IMD has issued a red alert for Delhi, other northern states for today and tomorrow. The weather department has cautioned people not to step out during 1 pm to 5 pm,

HIGHLIGHTS

• IMD issues red alert for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan
• IMD has issued orange warning for eastern Uttar Pradesh.
• The Met department has advised people to avoid stepping out in the sun

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert, used for a severe heat wave, for Delhi for Monday and Tuesday.

Besides Delhi, a red alert has also been issued by the weather department for Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan for May 25 and 26. IMD has issued orange warning for eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of IMD's Regional Meteorological Centre, said the red warning has been issued to caution people not to step out during 1 pm to 5 pm, when the intensity of the heat is the most.

"Heatwave will prevail in many places and severe heatwave in isolated places. Mainly clear sky with strong surface winds (20-20 kilometres per hour)," the IMD forecast said.

Saying that temperatures could soar up to 47 degrees Celsius in some parts over the next 2-3 days, the Met department advised people to avoid heat exposure and stay cool. In its advisory, the IMD asked people to drink water to prevent dehydration.

On Sunday, Delhi simmered with the maximum temperature hovering close to 45 degrees Celsius in most parts of the city.

The Safdarjung Observatory, which provides representative figures for the city, recorded a high of 44.4 degrees Celsius, which was five notches above the normal. The minimum temperature was recorded at 28.7 degrees Celsius, two notches above the normal.

The weather stations at Palam, Lodhi Road and Ayanagar recorded their respective maximums at 45.4 degrees Celsius, 44.2 degrees Celsius and 45.6 degrees Celsius.

This is also for the first time this summer season that a red warning has been issued for heatwave, Srivastava said.

This season, the temperatures did not rise the way it usually does in north and central India because of significant rainfall activity during April that continued till mid-May.

ANY RESPITE?

Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the regional forecasting centre of the IMD, said some respite from the stifling heat is expected in the national capital on May 28 due to a fresh Western Disturbance and easterly winds at lower levels.

"Dust storm and thunderstorm with winds gusting up to 60 kilometres per hour is likely over Delhi-NCR on May 29-30," he said.

WHAT IS HEAT WAVE

In large areas, a heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature is 45 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days and severe heatwave when the mercury touches the 47 degrees Celsius mark for two days on the trot.

In small areas, like Delhi, a heat wave is declared if the temperature soars to 45 degrees Celsius even for a day, according to the IMD. The IMD issues colour-coded warnings depending on the intensity of any weather system in ascending order green, yellow, orange and red.

ALSO READ: Delhi temp likely to soar, severe heatwave predicted for next 2 days
ALSO READ: Rajasthan sizzles as mercury soars, IMD issues alert of severe heatwave
ALSO WATCH: Delhi simmers at 44.4 deg C; IMD issues red alert