The India Meteorological Department has warned of a dust storm approaching Delhi-NCR. As per the IMD notice, a dust storm, followed by a thunderstorm and light rainfall, is expected to hit Delhi, Noida, and other NCR regions amid the intense heatwave.
As per the weather department, Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida, Faridabad, and Ballabhgarh are expected to experience strong winds amid the dust storm.
As per the nowcast issued by the IMD, an orange alert is active for Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad for “moderate thunderstorm with lightning and light to moderate rain.”
Delhi-NCR has been sweltering under severe heatwave conditions, with temperatures breaching past 45 degrees Celsius in the past few days.
Amid slow-moving dust from Rajasthan in the early hours of Monday, Delhi recorded the second "warm night" this season, with minimum temperatures remaining above 30 degrees Celsius.
A "warm night" occurs when the maximum temperature in the plains exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature is 4.5 degrees Celsius or more above usual.
{{/usCountry}}A "warm night" occurs when the maximum temperature in the plains exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature is 4.5 degrees Celsius or more above usual.
{{/usCountry}}On Sunday, the weather department issued a yellow alert for heatwave conditions and strong surface winds over the next three days. It had also warned of a dust storm as sand-laden winds from the Thar desert move towards the capital region.
A "heatwave" is declared when the maximum temperature is above 40 degrees Celsius, with the minimum being 4.5 degrees Celsius or more above normal. In the plains, it is a heatwave if the maximum temperature is above 45 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, "severe heatwave" is when the maximum is above the 40 degrees Celsius mark, and the minimum is 6.5 degrees Celsius or more above usual.
Relief likely from May 28, says IMD official
IMD scientist Akhil Srivastava said that relief from the heat is expected from May 28, when a western disturbance will bring thunderstorms to the plains.
Speaking to news agency ANI, he said, "In Delhi-NCR and northwestern India, maximum temperatures have exceeded 45°C in many places, leading to heatwave conditions. Delhi recorded temperatures between 43-45°C yesterday."
"Relief from the heat is expected from the 28th, when a Western Disturbance will affect northwestern India, bringing thunderstorm activity to the plains. Maximum temperatures are forecast to drop by 6-8°C over the following three days... There is a possible slight advancement in the thundershower in the next 2-3 days. The onset over the Kerala coast is being closely watched," he added.