‘Real feel’ heat rises to nearly 50°C in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The capital on Tuesday afternoon felt close to 50°C. Although the maximum temperature at Safdarjung was 41.8°C, the high humidity that the city has been experiencing meant that the heat index — the ‘real feel’ temperature that includes the impact of humidity — had zoomed to 49.6°C.The heat index has been steadily rising over the past days, increasing the risk ofheat-related illnesses. It stood at 48.5°C Monday, up from 43.6°C on the previous day.The sweltering heat led to a peak power demand of 7,401 MW at 3 pm, touching a season’s high against 7,265 MW a day earlier. The highest ever peak demand was recorded on June 19, 2024, at 8,656 MW. Discoms estimate the demand is likely to touch 9,000 MW this season.IMD had expected light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds towards late Tuesday evening. However, no such weather activity that could quickly cool down the region had occurred until 9pm. The humidity oscillated between 43% and 70%.The nights continued to be oppressively warm and humid, with the minimum temperature at Safdarjung recorded at 28.7 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal, the same as a day earlier.Among other areas, Palam and Pitampura at 42.5 degrees Celsius were the warmest in the city. Ayanagar recorded 42.2 degrees Celsius.According to IMD, excessive moisture feed from easterly winds under the influence of acyclonic circulation is expected to keep the humidity and discomfort level high this week, while also possibly leading to spells of thunderstorms and gusty winds till Thursday. “There are chances of isolated thunderstorm activity, scattered light rain and dust-raising winds gusting up to 50 km/ hour until Thursday. Even after that, moisture content will remain high, meaning the maximum is not likely to rise too much," said an IMD official.A Met official stated that a combination of clear skies and moisture incursion can lead to the formation of convective clouds. On Wednesday and Thursday, Delhi's maximum is likely to hover between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Delhi’s AQI was 204 (poor) against 201 a day earlier.