IMD warns heatwave could push Delhi‑NCR temperatures to 46°C

India’s weather office said Delhi-NCR entered a more dangerous stretch of heat on May 21, with temperatures already in the mid-40s and forecasts showing the region could climb to 46 degrees Celsius over the next few days. The India Meteorological Department, or IMD, said heatwave conditions had been observed in parts of Delhi during the previous 24 hours and warned that severe heatwave conditions were likely to persist across northwest India through the week. The warning covered the wider National Capital Region, including Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. IMD data for Delhi-NCR on May 22 also showed sharply elevated daytime readings across stations in and around the capital. ### How hot did Delhi get before the latest warning? The IMD’s 8:30 p.m. Delhi daily weather report on May 21 said maximum temperatures across Delhi were in the 44-45 degrees Celsius range during the previous 24 hours. The same bulletin said minimum temperatures were in the 27-32 degrees Celsius range, and warm-night conditions were observed at a few places. NewsX, in a May 21 report carried on Dailyhunt, said several parts of New Delhi had crossed 44 degrees Celsius as the heatwave tightened its grip on the region. (mausam.imd.gov.in) That report described a mix of high daytime heat, rising moisture and scattered pre-monsoon activity across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. ### Where is the 46 degrees Celsius figure coming from? The IMD’s Delhi-NCR forecast portal for May 21-25 showed the regional forecast covering Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad, and NewsX reported that IMD expected temperatures in parts of the region to rise as high as 46 degrees Celsius over the next few days. The IMD’s broader heat guidance and extended-range forecast also said heatwave to severe heatwave conditions were likely over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi during May 21-27. (m.dailyhunt.in) The IMD’s national heat bulletin said severe heatwave conditions were very likely at isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi. That language matters because IMD distinguishes between heatwave and severe heatwave conditions in its operational warnings, and Delhi falls within that higher-risk regional band in the current bulletin. ### Which parts of Delhi-NCR are in the warning zone? The IMD’s Delhi-NCR page lists live and forecast coverage for Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad. (mausam.imd.gov.in) Those districts broadly correspond to the NCR locations highlighted in local media coverage this week — Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. The IMD’s districtwise heatwave warning page and national guidance page both showed active heat-related warnings on May 22, while the agency’s front page carried a press release saying heatwave to severe heatwave conditions were likely to continue over the plains of northwest and central India during the week of May 21 to June 3. (mausam.imd.gov.in) ### Is there any sign of quick relief? The IMD’s two-week outlook for May 22-28 and May 29-June 4 said heatwave to severe heatwave conditions were very likely in many or some pockets over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi during May 21-27. (mausam.imd.gov.in) That suggests the current hot spell is expected to continue through at least the last full week of May. NewsX reported that relief was not expected before early June. The IMD material available on May 22 does not promise an immediate break; instead, it shows continued heat warnings and rolling daily forecasts for the Delhi-NCR districts. (mausam.imd.gov.in) ### Where should readers check the next update? (mausam.imd.gov.in) The IMD’s Mausam portal on May 22 carried the latest Delhi daily weather report, Delhi-NCR forecast dashboard, districtwise heatwave warnings and the national heat bulletin. Those pages are the agency’s next reference points for updated temperatures and any change in warnings for Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad. (mausam.imd.gov.in) (m.dailyhunt.in)