New Delhi: The national capital experienced its hottest May night in nearly 14 years on Monday, with temperatures refusing to drop despite the late hours. According to meteorological data, the minimum temperature settled at 32.4°C, significantly above the seasonal average by about 5.7°C.
This marks the highest night temperature recorded in May since May 26, 2012, when the city had logged a marginally higher minimum of 32.5°C, as per figures from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Weather officials noted that similar conditions had already been observed earlier this month, including a minimum of 31.9°C on May 21, indicating a persistent pattern of unusually warm nights across the city.
Several monitoring stations across Delhi recorded elevated nighttime temperatures. Safdarjung, considered the city’s primary observatory, reported the highest minimum, while other locations such as Palam, Lodi Road, Ridge, and Ayanagar also registered readings well above normal levels, ranging between 30°C and 32°C.
IMD officials described the situation as a “warm night” event, which occurs when both daytime heat remains intense and nighttime temperatures stay significantly above average, offering little relief after sunset.
In response to the prevailing weather conditions, the IMD has also issued a yellow alert for heatwave conditions, warning that daytime temperatures may climb to around 44°C in the coming days.
Apart from extreme heat, Delhi also witnessed dust-laden winds and brief storms on Sunday evening, which further impacted visibility and air quality. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 206, placing it in the “poor” category.
Meteorologists have advised residents to take precautions, avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak hours, and stay hydrated as heatwave conditions are expected to persist.
