Delhi continued to experience intense heat on Wednesday, despite forecasts of thunderstorms and rain. The city recorded its highest power demand for the month at 8,434 megawatts as temperatures soared.
Temperature Records
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature at Safdarjung reached 42.4 degrees Celsius, which is 2.5 degrees above normal. The minimum temperature settled at 29.1 degrees Celsius. Palam and Ridge stations recorded maximums of 43.6 degrees Celsius each, while Ayanagar registered 43 degrees Celsius.
Power Demand Surge
The persistent heat pushed electricity consumption sharply upwards. Delhi's peak power demand touched 8,434 MW at 3:33 pm on Wednesday, marking the highest for this month. This reflects the increased use of cooling appliances such as air conditioners and fans as residents sought relief from the scorching conditions.
Weather Alerts
The IMD issued an orange alert for Thursday, forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, and light rainfall during the evening. Wind speeds may further increase to 50-60 kmph during the night, with the possibility of a thundersquall. For Friday, a yellow alert has been issued, predicting light rainfall and thunderstorms throughout the day, along with gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph.
Temperature Forecast
The IMD stated that there is unlikely to be any significant change in maximum temperature over the next 24 hours. However, a fall of 6-7 degrees Celsius is expected by June 12. Minimum temperature is likely to rise by 2-3 degrees over the next day before declining by 4-5 degrees until June 13.
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions against the heat and stay updated with weather warnings. The orange alert indicates that the weather could potentially cause disruptions, including power outages and damage to infrastructure due to strong winds.
