Delhi heat index reaches 46.5°C as humidity stays high

Delhi’s heat index reached 46.5°C at 2.30pm on Thursday, while the maximum temperature was 34.9°C, one degree above normal.

Humidity remained high through the day. The heat index was 36.6°C at 5.30pm after rain fell in parts of the city. The Ridge observatory in north Delhi received 10.8mm of rain between 8.30am and 5.30pm, while Aya Nagar logged 0.2mm. Safdarjung, Delhi’s base weather station, recorded no rain during that period.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast light rain at most places on Friday, with moderate showers possible in isolated areas. No colour-coded weather warning has been issued. Rain is unlikely from Saturday to Wednesday, and maximum temperatures are expected to rise from 34-36°C on Friday to 35-37°C over the following days.

Safdarjung has received 354.1mm of rain so far this month, above August’s normal of 233.1mm. Delhi’s air quality was in the moderate category on Thursday, with an AQI of 129, compared with 94, in the satisfactory category, on Wednesday.