IMD: Delhi records season's hottest day as several areas exceed 44°C

Delhi recorded its hottest day of the season on May 18, with the India Meteorological Department saying several parts of the capital crossed 44 degrees Celsius and the city’s base station at Safdarjung reached 43.4 degrees Celsius. The weather office issued a yellow alert for heatwave conditions over the following four days and said maximum temperatures in some areas could touch 45 degrees Celsius. The warning comes as the Health Ministry and other authorities push heat-safety advisories and power distributors prepare for heavier electricity demand. Across north and central India, the broader heat spell is expected to persist through at least May 23, according to official advisories. ### Which readings made this the season’s hottest day? Safdarjung recorded 43.4 degrees Celsius on May 18, making it the highest reading of the season at Delhi’s base station, according to IMD’s Delhi forecast page and local reports citing the department. The previous notable peak this season was 42.8 degrees Celsius on April 25, local reports said. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) Several other stations were hotter. Ayanagar touched 44.6 degrees Celsius, according to reports citing IMD, while multiple areas in Delhi were reported above 44 degrees Celsius as dry conditions and strong sunshine pushed up daytime temperatures. ### Why did IMD issue a yellow alert? (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) IMD said Delhi was under a yellow alert for heatwave conditions from Tuesday through Friday after forecasting that temperatures could climb further in isolated parts of the capital. The department’s public guidance says a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature reaches at least 45 degrees Celsius, or exceeds 40 degrees Celsius with a departure of at least 4.5 degrees above normal. (livemint.com) The Delhi forecast pages published by IMD on May 19 also showed very high temperatures across parts of the region and continued heat-related warnings for the coming days. The agency’s broader heatwave guidance said severe heat conditions would continue over parts of northwest and central India through May 23. ### What are health authorities telling people to do? The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said state health departments had been sent directives on heat preparedness, including an advisory for summer 2026 and guidance on strengthening health systems for heat-related illnesses. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) The National Centre for Disease Control said the country may see above-normal seasonal maximum temperatures and asked health departments to ensure preparedness and timely response. (mausam.imd.gov.in) A separate public health advisory highlighted precautions for vulnerable groups and urged people to reduce exposure during peak heat, stay hydrated and watch for symptoms linked to heat stress, according to government-backed summaries of the advisory issued on May 18. (mohfw.gov.in) ### Are hospitals already seeing heat-related cases? Hospitals in the National Capital Region have reported a rise in heat-related illnesses in recent weeks, according to The Hindu. Dr. Tushar Tayal of CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, told the newspaper that consultations related to heat disorders had risen about 10% to 15% over the previous two weeks. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) The Delhi Heat Action Plan, prepared by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, sets out protocols for hospitals, public messaging and coordination across departments during extreme heat periods. The plan describes heat-related illness response as part of the city’s preparedness framework. ### What does the heat mean for electricity demand? (thehindu.com) BSES said Delhi’s electricity demand hit 8,656 megawatts in the peak summer of fiscal 2024-25, describing summer demand as record-breaking on its demand-side management page. That figure is not a current-demand reading for May 2026, but it shows the scale utilities have recently had to manage during extreme heat. (ddma.delhi.gov.in) Power demand typically rises as air-conditioner use increases, and Delhi’s government and private distributors have repeatedly tied summer preparedness to heat conditions in past advisories and planning documents. The current heat spell is likely to keep that focus on grid management as temperatures stay elevated this week. That inference is based on the utility demand history and the current IMD forecast. (bsesdelhi.com) ### What happens next, and where will the next official update appear? IMD said the yellow alert for Delhi covered the period from May 19 through May 23, with maximum temperatures in isolated areas likely to approach 45 degrees Celsius. The department’s Delhi and New Delhi forecast pages are carrying updated station observations, warnings and daily forecasts. (bsesdelhi.com) The Health Ministry’s summer 2026 advisories remain in force as the heat spell continues, and local agencies are expected to keep issuing public guidance tied to daily conditions. The next concrete milestone is the next IMD daily warning cycle, posted on the department’s Delhi weather portal. (ncdc.mohfw.gov.in) (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)