Delhi temperature has been rising steadily for the last 3 days. Yesterday, Safdarjung Observatory recorded a maximum of 37.6°C, close to normal. A similar range was observed at Palam and the Meteorological Office at Lodhi Road. The capital city has recorded the highest temperature of 39.4°C, so far, on 19th April. Mercury level is likely to rise during this week and is likely to breach the 40°C mark for the first time this season.
Delhi will vote in phase 6 on 25th May 2024, the peak of pre-monsoon heat. However, parts of NCR, including Noida and Ghaziabad will go to poll on 26th April 2024. Constituencies of Gautam Budh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Bulandshahr, Meerut and Amroha in Uttar Pradesh will vote on this day. None of these places have reached 40°C, so far and just stopped short of that at 39°C. These places and the national capital Delhi are expected to breach 40°C on the polling day. Mercury may rise further on the subsequent days and soar at 41°C around the weekend.
A fresh western disturbance is likely to arrive on 26th April over the mountains of North India. Also, there will be feeble cyclonic circulation over parts of Punjab and Rajasthan. Light and isolated weather activity is likely over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on this day. Delhi will be rather far from the reach of the system. If all outer peripherals of the system get through to the NCR region, it will be past the polling timings. During the day, hot sun with temperature soaring at or above 40°C, during the peak afternoon hours is expected. Heat will pick up further over most parts of the country during the fag end of April and the start of May. A heat wave in many parts and a severe one, in some pockets is expected in the first week of May.
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