Delhi records hottest day of season at 40.2 degrees

Delhi experienced its first heatwave of the season on Monday as temperatures soared to 40.2 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In response, the IMD extended the yellow alert in the national capital for the next two days.

Other weather stations across the city also reported scorching conditions, with Ridge and Ayanagar registering maximum temperatures of 41 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Palam and Lodhi Road recorded highs close to 39 degrees Celsius, the IMD said.

The capital is currently under a yellow alert, which will remain in place for the next two days, a weather department official said.

In IMD's colour code, a yellow alert stands for "Be Aware" and advises people to avoid heat exposure, wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose cotton clothes, and cover their heads with a cloth, hat or umbrella.

"Three stations -- Safdarjung, Ridge and Ayanagar -- met the heatwave criteria today, marking the first day



of heatwave conditions this season.

"These conditions are likely to continue until April 9. From April 10 onwards, a drop in temperature is expected over Northwest India, including Delhi," the IMD said in a statement.

According to IMD data, Delhi typically reaches the 40-degree Celsius mark in the latter half of April. However, this year, the capital has hit that threshold in the first half of the month—an early spike similar to what occurred in 2022.

In 2022, Delhi experienced its first heatwave on April 8, with temperatures soaring to 41.6 degrees Celsius. In contrast, no heatwave was recorded in April during 2023 and 2024. Still, the 40-degree mark was touched on April 15 in 2023 and April 26 in 2024.

As per the IMD’s criteria, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains or 30 degrees Celsius in the hills, or when the temperature is 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius above the normal range.