The national capital on Saturday witnessed its hottest day of the season, with temperatures exceeding 45°C at 10 stations, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD issued a ‘red alert’ for Delhi-NCR and several other states, warning of severe heat over the next few days.

Mungeshpur in northwest Delhi recorded the highest temperature at 46.8°C.

Apart from Mungeshpur, several other areas in Delhi recorded extremely high temperatures, with Najafgarh at 46.7 degrees Celsius, followed by Pitampura at 46.2 degrees Celsius, Pusa at 46 degrees Celsius, Aya Nagar at 45.2 degrees Celsius, and Palam at 44.2 degrees Celsius.

A ‘red alert’ has also been issued in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, and West Rajasthan. An ‘orange’ alert has been issued in Uttar Pradesh and East Rajasthan.

According to the IMD, the intense heat affecting northwest India is expected to persist for another four days, with Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh likely to experience the worst of it.

Additionally, high humidity levels are forecasted for Goa and sub-Himalayan West Bengal over the coming days.

Meanwhile, the weather department has also issued a warning for heatwave conditions in parts of Himachal Pradesh, following a day where maximum temperatures exceeded the norm by two to 6.4 degrees Celsius in several locations.

What is a red alert?

A “red alert” is declared when the forecasted weather conditions pose severe risks, such as a high probability of heat-related illnesses like heatstroke, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly, infants, and individuals with chronic health conditions. The IMD officially designates a heatwave when the maximum temperature reaches 45°C or higher.