Heatwave grips Delhi with above-normal temps, strong winds forecast

Delhi experienced a warmer Friday morning as the minimum temperature settled at 29.3 degrees Celsius, 2.6 notches above normal. The city remains under an orange alert with the maximum temperature expected to touch 45 degrees Celsius with persisting heatwave conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The Safdarjung weather station recorded a minimum temperature of 29.3 degrees Celsius, 2.6 notches above normal.

Palam recorded 28.7 degrees Celsius, 1.6 notches above normal; Lodhi Road 27.0 degrees Celsius, 2.0 notches above normal; Ridge 28.6 degrees Celsius, 2.4 notches above normal; and Ayanagar 28.8 degrees Celsius, 2.1 notches above normal. According to the IMD, the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 45-46 degrees Celsius. The weather department has predicted strong surface winds and heatwave conditions through the day, with a warm night. An orange alert, as per the IMD, stands for "be prepared". Meanwhile, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 226 in the 'poor' category at 9 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As per CPCB standards, an AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.