Delhi experienced a grueling, moisture-heavy Monday as extreme humidity pushed the “real-feel” temperature to a staggering 49.6°C in several parts of the capital.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city continues to reel under intense heat. Even with a complete lack of daytime rainfall, temperatures spiked well above seasonal averages across almost all major regional weather stations.
Breaking a Two-Year Temperature Record
Monday marked the hottest July day the national capital has seen in two years. The mercury at Delhi’s base station, Safdarjung, peaked at 38.6°C—matching Sunday’s high and settling two notches above the seasonal average. The last time Delhi recorded a higher July temperature was on July 11, 2024, when it hit 38.8°C.
Here is how the temperatures broke down across Delhi’s primary weather stations on Monday:
| Weather Station | Maximum Temperature | Departure From Normal | Minimum Temperature |
| Safdarjung (Base) | 38.6°C | +2.0°C | 27.0°C (-0.9°C) |
| Palam | 38.5°C | +1.1°C | 26.0°C (-2.2°C) |
| Lodhi Road | 38.3°C | +3.3°C (Highest Departure) | 27.8°C (+0.8°C) |
| The Ridge | 38.1°C | +1.9°C | 24.0°C (-2.4°C) |
| Ayanagar | 37.7°C | +1.1°C | 27.4°C (+0.7°C) |
High Humidity, Low Relief
While the capital saw early morning showers during the 24-hour window ending at 8:30 AM—with Palam receiving the highest at 16.4 mm, followed by Ridge at 11.1 mm and Safdarjung at 6.4 mm—the major observatories recorded zero rainfall between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM. This residual ground moisture combined with high daytime radiation created a punishing greenhouse effect for residents.
Silver Lining: Air Quality Remains ‘Satisfactory’
Despite the oppressive heat, Delhi’s air quality offered a bit of relief. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the city’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 94 at 4:00 PM, placing it comfortably within the ‘satisfactory’ bracket (51-100).
Looking Ahead: Yellow Alert Issued for Tuesday
Relief may be on the horizon. The IMD has issued a ‘yellow alert’ for Tuesday, forecasting generally cloudy skies accompanied by moderate rainfall in several parts of the city. Temperatures are expected to scale down slightly, with the maximum projected at 36°C and the minimum hovering around 27°C.
