Delhi sees hot day even as temperature dips; air quality moderate

NEW DELHI: The city faced a sweltering Friday although the maximum temperature saw a slight fall from a day earlier.

The maximum temperature at Safdarjung was 39.8 degrees Celsius, which is normal for the season against 40.6 degrees Celsius a day earlier.

The hottest area of the city was the Ridge at 41.4 degrees Celsius, while Ayanagar was 41 degrees Celsius. Palam recorded 40.2 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature was 26.2 degrees Celsius, a notch above normal and against 23.4 degrees Celsius a day earlier.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum may hover around 40-42 degrees by Saturday, 42-43 by Sunday and 42-44 degrees Celsius by May 18.

Despite the extreme heat, the weather department issued a yellow alert for the city, forecasting light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds by late evening. However, no major weather impact was seen.

“Another western disturbance as a cyclonic circulation over Jammu adjoining north Pakistan persists... No large change in maximum temperatures during next two days,” IMD said. There could be a “rise by 1-2°C for subsequent 24 hours and a fall by 1-2°C thereafter. The fall in minimum temperatures by 2-3°C (can be seen) during next 24 hours and rise by 2-3°C thereafter,” it said.

The air quality remained moderate, with an AQI of 152 on Friday, against 154 a day earlier.