North India Braces for Cooler Days as Heatwave Subsides

New Delhi: North India, which has been grappling with intense heatwave conditions, is set to experience a reprieve starting Saturday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather agency forecasts a drop in temperatures across the region, bringing much-needed relief to states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.

The IMD attributes the change to an approaching western disturbance, which is expected to trigger light rain and thunderstorms in parts of northwest India through Monday. Delhi, where the heat index recently soared to a punishing 51.9 degrees Celsius, is likely to see maximum temperatures settle between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius over the next few days, a significant decrease from the recent highs of 45 degrees Celsius. The forecast also includes gusty winds of 40 to 50 km/h, which could further cool the region.

In its latest bulletin, the IMD noted that the severe heatwave, which prompted red alerts in Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan, is expected to ease as moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea move in. This shift follows days of sweltering conditions, with some areas enduring “feels-like” temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius due to high humidity and relentless heat.

While northwest India anticipates cooler weather, the southwest monsoon is advancing elsewhere, with heavy rainfall predicted for Kerala, Konkan, and Goa through June 15. The IMD projects that monsoon rains will reach Himachal Pradesh by June 20 and Punjab by June 27, signaling a broader transition in weather patterns across the country.