Delhi-NCR: After days of relentless heat, residents of Delhi-NCR are expected to experience a welcome shift in weather, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms across various parts of the region today. This anticipated change is part of a larger pattern influenced by an active western disturbance approaching North India, combined with an influx of moisture-laden easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal. These weather systems are expected to trigger convective activity, resulting in scattered showers, gusty winds, and potential lightning strikes throughout the day.
Also Read: Delhi Heatwave Update: Relief Expected After April 9, Says IMD
The rainfall, though not widespread or intense, is likely to provide temporary relief from the severe heatwave that has blanketed the national capital and adjoining areas for the past several days. Daytime temperatures have consistently hovered around 44°C in Delhi and parts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, pushing the region into the red category of heatwave alerts issued by the IMD. The expected showers could bring down temperatures by 2–4°C, improving outdoor conditions, air quality, and overall comfort for residents who have been struggling with intense heat and high humidity.
Moreover, officials have advised people to remain cautious during thunderstorms, especially in open areas, and to plan their travel accordingly as sudden rains may disrupt traffic flow and cause temporary waterlogging in low-lying parts of the city.
Unbearable Heat Persists Across Delhi-NCR
For the past several days, Delhi and its surrounding cities — including Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad — have been reeling under intense heatwave conditions, with daytime temperatures consistently ranging between 42°C and 44°C. In some localities, mercury levels even breached the 45°C mark, making it one of the hottest spells this summer season. The scorching heat, coupled with hot and dry westerly winds, has significantly worsened living conditions, especially during the afternoon hours when the sun is at its peak.
This persistent heatwave has prompted health authorities and municipal bodies to issue advisories urging people to stay indoors during peak hours, remain hydrated, and take precautions against heatstroke. The elderly, infants, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are particularly at risk. Several hospitals across the NCR have reported a noticeable increase in cases related to heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sunburn.
Local vendors, daily wage workers, and school children have been among the worst affected, with many forced to brave the harsh weather to fulfill their daily responsibilities. The heat has also had a noticeable impact on electricity consumption, with demand for cooling appliances pushing power grids closer to capacity.
IMD Forecast: Rain, Thunderstorms Expected in Parts of Delhi-NCR
In a much-needed respite from the extreme summer heat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall accompanied by gusty winds of 30–40 km/h and isolated thunderstorms across Delhi and its adjoining NCR areas including Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad later today. The shift in weather is attributed to a western disturbance currently active over the western Himalayan region, which is pulling in moisture-laden southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea into the northwestern plains.
This synoptic system is expected to result in convective cloud formation and sporadic showers, particularly in the late afternoon and evening hours. IMD data reveals that Delhi’s Safdarjung observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 43.2°C on Wednesday—5°C above the seasonal average. In contrast, today’s maximum temperature is expected to range between 38°C to 40°C, providing a marginal but crucial drop for residents reeling from the ongoing heatwave.
“There is a possibility of rainfall in Delhi and adjoining NCR today, which may lead to a slight drop in maximum temperatures. However, heatwave conditions may continue in isolated pockets, especially in areas that do not receive rain,” said an IMD official.
The IMD’s extended outlook suggests that the relief may be temporary, with clear skies and rising temperatures expected to return by the weekend. Authorities have also warned of potential disruptions due to localized dust storms or sudden rainfall, urging commuters to plan accordingly and stay updated through official channels.
Heatwave Still a Threat in Pockets Despite Expected Rain
While the anticipated rainfall and gusty winds may offer short-term relief, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has cautioned that heatwave conditions are likely to persist in isolated pockets of Delhi, southern Haryana, eastern Rajasthan, and parts of western Uttar Pradesh. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for multiple districts across these states, advising people to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun between 12 PM and 4 PM, especially vulnerable populations such as children, senior citizens, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
On Wednesday, cities like Phalodi and Ganganagar in Rajasthan recorded scorching highs of 45.6°C and 45.3°C respectively, while parts of southern Haryana and western UP breached the 44°C mark. In the National Capital Region, areas like Najafgarh, Mungeshpur, and Narela saw mercury levels touch or exceed 44°C, well above the normal range for this time of year.
The IMD reiterated that the incoming western disturbance will weaken by Friday, after which dry and hot northwesterly winds are expected to return, pushing daytime temperatures back to 41–43°C in affected regions. This potential rebound in temperature underscores the transient nature of the current weather change.
“The rainfall will bring marginal cooling, but it will not be sufficient to end the heatwave pattern entirely. The risk of heat-related illnesses remains, especially where rains are patchy or absent,” an IMD scientist explained.
Authorities have advised residents to stay hydrated, wear loose cotton clothing, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during peak hours, and monitor updates from the regional weather centers. Health departments across states have also ramped up preparedness, with hospitals on alert to handle a possible increase in heatstroke cases.
Health Advisory Issued Amid Rising Heat Concerns
As temperatures continue to soar across Delhi-NCR and surrounding states, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), in coordination with public health authorities, has issued a comprehensive heatwave advisory for the general public. This comes in response to the increasing number of heat-related illnesses being reported in both urban and rural healthcare facilities.
Authorities have urged residents to adopt the following precautionary measures to safeguard their health during this period:
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💧 Stay Well-Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you’re not feeling thirsty. Oral rehydration salts (ORS), lemon water with salt and sugar, and buttermilk are also recommended to replenish lost electrolytes.
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🌞 Avoid Outdoor Activity During Peak Hours (12 PM – 4 PM): This is when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Outdoor laborers, delivery workers, and school children are especially at risk during these hours.
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👕 Wear Light, Breathable Clothing: Loose-fitting cotton clothes in light colors help the body stay cool and minimize the risk of heat exhaustion.
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🧴 Use Sun Protection: Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or above to avoid sunburns. Wearing sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, or carrying umbrellas can also shield from direct sun exposure.
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🧓 Check on Vulnerable Individuals: Elderly people, infants, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease) are more susceptible to heatstroke. Ensure they stay indoors in cool environments and remain hydrated.
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🪟 Ventilation & Cooling: Keep windows open during early morning and evening hours to allow airflow. Use fans, coolers, or air conditioning where possible. If unavailable, consider visiting community centers or public cooling shelters.
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🚫 Avoid Alcohol & Caffeinated Drinks: These can lead to increased dehydration. Opt for water and electrolyte-rich drinks instead.
Healthcare providers have also been instructed to maintain adequate stock of IV fluids, ORS, and emergency medications to manage an expected rise in heatstroke and dehydration cases.
“Prevention is the best protection during a heatwave. Early symptoms like excessive sweating, fatigue, dizziness, or nausea should not be ignored,” said a senior doctor at Safdarjung Hospital.
Delhi’s Summer Woes Continue
The unrelenting summer heat has once again exposed the growing vulnerability of Delhi-NCR to the urban heat island (UHI) effect, a phenomenon where metropolitan areas experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural regions. This is primarily due to dense concrete structures, asphalt roads, reduced vegetation, and heat generated from vehicular and industrial emissions.
Over the past week, maximum temperatures in Delhi-NCR have consistently hovered between 42°C and 44.5°C, with some interior parts such as Mungeshpur, Najafgarh, and Pitampura recording peaks of 45°C. These temperatures are 4–5°C above normal for this time of the year, according to IMD’s regional data.
Climatologists warn that the heat island effect in Delhi has intensified over the past decade, with satellite data showing a 2°C average rise in surface temperatures in densely built-up zones compared to green belts and water-rich areas like the Yamuna floodplain.
Urban environmentalists emphasize the need for sustainable city planning to combat the rising heat:
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🌳 Increase Urban Green Cover: Expand tree plantation drives, rooftop gardens, and vertical green walls to act as natural cooling agents.
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💧 Promote Water Conservation: Preserve water bodies and enhance rainwater harvesting systems to retain moisture in the urban landscape.
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🛣️ Use Heat-Reflective Building Materials: Encourage the use of cool roofs, white paint, and permeable pavements in infrastructure design.
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📢 Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate citizens on the importance of reducing carbon footprints and supporting eco-friendly practices.
“Urban areas like Delhi are warming faster than surrounding regions due to poor planning and unchecked construction. Without mitigation strategies, summer extremes will become the norm rather than the exception,” warned Dr. Arvind Shukla, a senior climate scientist at TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute).
For detailed updates and daily forecasts, citizens are encouraged to follow the official India Meteorological Department (IMD) website.
