Heat wave condition prevailing in Delhi for the sixth consecutive day is something that the city has not witnessed since 1969. The longest heat wave in Delhi was for four days in June 1995. The Safdarjung Observatory has been sustaining day temperatures close to 45°C since 6th June. It again recorded 45.2°C as the maximum on Tuesday.
The other Observatory at Palam which broke the record for the highest maximum temperature in this very period continues to swelter under very intense heat with maximum recording 47°C on Tuesday. Data shows that after 6th June, maximums have not fallen below 47°C.
Day temperatures in Delhi Since 7th June
| Day | Maximum temperature at Safdarjang | Maximum temperature at Palam |
| 7th June | 44.9°C | 47°C |
| 8th June | 45.1°C | 47.8°C |
| 9th June | 45.5°C | 47.6°C |
| 10th June | 45.2°C | 47°C |
Accumulation of heat has led to rise in distress level for the past few days in Delhi. If sun heat is making it difficult during the day, rise in humidity levels due to moisture reaching here from the southwest direction and early thirties temperatures have added to the discomfort during night hours. Frequent power cuts have further added to the miseries of Delhiites and they must be searching for answers as to why the weather in Delhi has been so painful this June.
Skymet cites four reasons for heat wave conditions prevailing in Delhi.
Closest to Sun
As we move close to 23rd June, the time when Sun reaches the 'Tropic of Cancer' in the Northern Hemisphere, areas close to the 'Tropic of Cancer' receive direct sunlight leading to more heat radiation and pushing the temperatures high. Delhi is just five degrees North of this line due to which the sun rays are more direct and therefore more intense.
Long day time
The second reason behind the heat wave in Delhi is the long day time. Sunrise in Delhi is before 5:30 am while the sun sets by 19:15 pm. It means we are experiencing almost 14 hours of sunlight. The temperature keeps rising even after 3.30 pm. This gives heat less time to escape the atmosphere. Reflection of this could be understood by the fact that night temperatures in Delhi in the last couple of days are settling around 30°C and remain in the early thirties till the day starts. Delhi recorded more than 31°C as minimum on Wednesday morning, almost three notches above normal.
Driest June Since 2007
The month of June in Delhi since 2007 has never been without some rain. Data available with Skymet shows that all the years since then have recorded rain with a maximum of 15 mm in 2013. But in 2014, Delhi has been left high and dry till now.
Rain in Delhi since June 2007
| Year | Amount of Rain |
| 2007 | Trace |
| 2008 | 1.2 mm |
| 2009 | 2.5 mm |
| 2010 | 1.4 mm |
| 2011 | 10 mm |
| 2012 | 13 mm |
| 2013 | 15 mm |
| 2014 | Totally dry |
Pollution
Pollution in Delhi is absorbing this heat and not letting the heat to escape. A recent report pulished by the Centre for Science and Environment has also pointed towards this reason for intense heat in the national capital.
“With heat wave raging in early June, ozone peaks to dangerous levels. Rising NO₂ levels and volatile gases in the air, primarily from vehicles, form the recipe for ozone when exposed to intense sunlight and high temperature.” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy and head of CSE’s air pollution programme.
“Ozone is a serious threat to those suffering from asthma and respiratory problems and can cause premature deaths if it is high even for a short duration during the day,” she added.
Dust storm expected tomorrow
According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, Delhi may experience some dust storms in the next 48 hours. They will not affect the day temperatures much as they will occur in the evening. But southwesterly winds would certainly help in keeping the day temperature under some control by pulling it down marginally.
Photograph by Kprateek88
