Rajasthan sizzles under red alert as Delhi hits season’s hottest day at 43.8 degree C

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Northwest and eastern India continue to bake under extreme heatwave conditions, with Delhi recording its hottest day of the season at 43.8 degrees C on Tuesday, 3.6 degrees above normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Rajasthan remains under a red alert, while Delhi braces for temperatures nearing 45 degrees C before possible relief later this week.

The capital sweltered under an orange alert on Tuesday, with the IMD predicting similar conditions until Wednesday. Night temperatures are expected to stay uncomfortably high at around 29 degrees C. However, light rain and thunderstorms, accompanied by gusty winds of 30-40 kmph, may bring some respite from June 12, HT reported.

Western Rajasthan, including Ganganagar, has endured temperatures above 47 degrees C for two straight days. The IMD issued a red alert for June 11-12, downgrading to orange on June 13 for the region. Eastern Rajasthan remains under a yellow alert. Thunderstorms forecast between June 15-16 could ease the heat, with a further dip expected around June 18-20.

As per HT, Ludhiana in Punjab is under a yellow alert until Thursday, with Monday’s temperature hitting 44 degrees C. IMD’s Chandigarh director, Surender Paul, said isolated thunderstorms might bring slight relief, though no major cooling is expected before June 16.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh’s Una recorded a scorching 44.2 degrees C on Tuesday, with hill stations like Shimla and Manali also experiencing above-average heat. Dry conditions are likely until June 12, followed by light rain on June 13-14.

With the monsoon yet to reach northwest India, residual moisture from weakened western disturbances has intensified the oppressive heat. The IMD warns of worsening conditions until rains arrive.