Delhi woke up to an unusual mix of cloudy skies, rising heat, and deteriorating air quality as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for the national capital, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by light rain in isolated pockets later in the day. The shifting weather comes as temperatures continue to climb sharply across the region, adding to discomfort for residents.
The IMD has forecast thunderstorms with light rain activity in select areas of the city, though conditions are expected to remain patchy and localised. Despite the alert, the broader trend indicates intensifying heat in the coming days.
The city recorded a minimum temperature of 24 degrees Celsius — the highest so far this season — while the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 39 degrees Celsius, according to the weather office. The sharp rise in night temperatures has already signalled an early onset of hotter conditions in Delhi-NCR.
Explaining the hazy skies and dust-laden atmosphere, meteorologists attributed the change to an induced cyclonic circulation over western Rajasthan and adjoining regions of Pakistan. This system has facilitated the movement of dust particles towards the capital, leading to a visible layer of haze and a decline in air quality across Delhi-NCR.
“Dust particles from these areas have travelled towards Delhi-NCR, resulting in a layer of dust haze and a deterioration in air quality,” they said.
Thunderstorm activity has already been reported in nearby regions including Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu and Bikaner in Rajasthan over the past day, with similar weather patterns persisting and influencing conditions in Delhi. Experts say these regional disturbances are contributing to the current unstable weather over the capital.
Looking ahead, meteorologists have cautioned that temperatures are likely to rise further across northwest India, including Delhi-NCR, over the next two to three days. Conditions may intensify enough to bring isolated heatwave spells in certain pockets.
Temperatures are expected to rise further across Delhi-NCR and northwest India over the next two to three days, potentially touching 41 to 42 degrees Celsius and leading to isolated heatwave conditions.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the capital navigates a volatile mix of dust haze, rising heat, and intermittent thunderstorm activity.
