Delhi-NCR remained in the grip of an intense heat wave on May 19 with temperatures soaring beyond 45 degrees Celsius across all major weather stations in the capital, according to observations released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) at 5:30 pm. This extreme spike in temperature made it the hottest May day recorded in the capital in the last two years.

The Ridge station recorded the highest maximum temperature at 46.5°C, making it the hottest location in Delhi during the day. Safdarjung and Palam, which serve as key reference stations for the capital, both registered 45.1°C, while Lodhi Road recorded 45.2°C and Ayanagar touched 45.5°C.

IMD data showed that temperatures were significantly above normal across the region. Lodhi Road recorded the sharpest departure from normal at 6.2°C above average, followed by Ridge at 5°C above normal and Safdarjung at 4.7°C higher than usual. Such deviations fall within the category of severe heat wave conditions.

The data also indicated that the heat intensified compared to the previous day. Maximum temperatures rose by 1.1°C to 1.9°C across different monitoring centres within 24 hours, reflecting a rapid escalation in daytime heating.

Nighttime conditions provided little relief. Minimum temperatures remained elevated between 27°C and 28.2°C across Delhi. Safdarjung recorded a minimum of 28.2°C, while Palam and Ridge both logged 28.1°C. Weather experts say persistently high nighttime temperatures are particularly dangerous because they prevent the human body from cooling down after prolonged daytime heat exposure.

No rainfall was recorded anywhere in Delhi between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, and the 24-hour cumulative rainfall at all stations stood at zero. The absence of rain and cloud cover, combined with dry winds and intense solar heating.

Source: India Today