Delhi experienced its hottest day of the year on Friday, with the temperature soaring to a scorching 47.4 degrees Celsius in the Najafgarh area, making it the hottest place in the country, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The Safdarjung weather station, a key marker for the city, recorded a maximum temperature of 43.6 degrees Celsius, over three degrees above normal. The IMD issued an orange alert for Delhi, predicting heatwave conditions in some areas over the next two days.
Heatwave Conditions Across Northern India
Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are expected in several regions, including Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, and parts of Rajasthan. Similar conditions are likely in isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch on May 20.
Weather Conditions in Other Parts of India
The IMD forecast thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds in parts of Andhra Pradesh from May 17 for four days. North coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Rayalaseema are expected to receive rainfall with gusty winds up to 50 kmph. The southwest monsoon is likely to advance into the South Andaman Sea, parts of the southeast Bay of Bengal, and the Nicobar Islands around May 19.
Chandigarh and Haryana Under Heatwave
Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 44.5 degrees Celsius, six degrees above normal. Rohtak and Sirsa in Haryana both reached 45.8 degrees Celsius, while Hisar, Karnal, and Ambala recorded 45.5, 43.4, and 43.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. Bhiwani saw a high of 43.2 degrees Celsius.
Scorching Temperatures in Punjab
Amritsar in Punjab recorded a maximum temperature of 44.3 degrees Celsius. Faridkot saw 43 degrees, while Patiala and Pathankot reached 44.4 degrees. Ludhiana recorded 43.8 degrees Celsius, and Gurdaspur and Mohali both registered highs of 43 degrees and 43.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Rajasthan’s Barmer Hottest in the State
Rajasthan continued to experience intense heat, with Barmer recording the
highest temperature at 46.5 degrees Celsius. Other hot spots included Dholpur (46.4°C), Fatehpur in Sikar (46.3°C), Phalodi (46°C), Pilani in Jhunjhunu (45.9°C), Banasthali in Tonk and Jaisalmer (45.8°C), Churu (45.7°C), and Jodhpur and Karauli (45.5°C).
The weather center in Jaipur indicated that the heatwave phase would persist for another week, with temperatures at most places in the state ranging two to four degrees above normal.
