Delhi, the bustling capital of India, experienced an unusual heatwave on Monday as temperatures soared to an astonishing 40.1 degrees Celsius at the Safdarjung observatory. This scorching weather marked a historic milestone, making it the hottest September day the city has witnessed in the past 85 years.
The temperature in Delhi settled at 40.1 degrees Celsius, a staggering six notches above the usual average for this time of year. This exceptional heatwave has left residents and weather experts taken aback, as it defies the typical weather patterns expected in September.
The highest maximum temperature ever recorded in Delhi for the month of September was 40.6 degrees Celsius, a record set on September 16, 1938. The recent temperature surge comes alarmingly close to breaking this 85-year-old record, highlighting the severity of the heatwave.
The meteorological department (MeT) attributes this unusual spike in temperatures to two primary factors: a significant deficit in rainfall and weakened monsoon conditions.
In August, which is traditionally the wettest month for Delhi, the city experienced a startling 61 percent rainfall deficit. This substantial shortfall in precipitation has had a cascading effect, as it has also led to a dry start to September, with no significant rainfall recorded until September 4. In contrast, the average rainfall for the city in the month of September typically stands at 32.4 mm.
According to the 7-day forecast provided by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Delhi can expect partly cloudy skies with the possibility of very light rain today and tomorrow. However, the overall weather conditions for the week indicate that the maximum and minimum temperatures will hover around 37 and 27 degrees Celsius, respectively.
It’s not just Delhi; the entire country has been grappling with unusually high temperatures this year, particularly in August. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the country experienced its highest average temperatures for August in over a century.
The IMD noted, “All India average mean and maximum temperatures in August 2023 were the record highest since 1901, and the minimum temperature was the second highest.” The agency highlighted that the significant rainfall deficit and weakened monsoon conditions were the primary drivers behind these soaring temperatures.
As Delhi and other parts of India continue to contend with this heatwave, residents and authorities remain vigilant, taking precautions to combat the adverse effects of such extreme weather conditions.
