Delhi recorded its highest temperature of the season on Monday, with Safdarjung—the city’s main weather observatory—reporting a sweltering 40.2°C, which is 5.1°C above the average for this time of year. The sharp rise follows a heatwave advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the national capital and several parts of northwest and central India.

In Palam, the mercury climbed to 39.5°C, also registering a significant deviation of four degrees above normal.

A yellow alert has been issued for Delhi for both Monday and Tuesday, with forecasters predicting persistent heatwave conditions across parts of the capital through Wednesday. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 40°C and 42°C over the next few days.

Just a day earlier, Safdarjung recorded a high of 38.2°C, which was already three degrees above the seasonal norm. Saturday’s temperature stood at 35.7°C. Prior to this, the highest temperature recorded at Safdarjung this season was 39°C on April 3.

In addition to the heat, Delhi’s air quality continues to remain in the 'poor' category, adding to public health concerns.

Elsewhere, heatwave-like conditions are forecast across large sections of northern and central India. On April 7, parts of Himachal Pradesh may see unusually high temperatures. States such as Haryana, Punjab, and Chandigarh are expected to experience intense heat from April 7 to 10. Western Uttar Pradesh may be impacted from April 7 to 9, and Madhya Pradesh from April 8 to 10.

Meanwhile, around 21 cities across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, and Maharashtra are also likely to witness elevated temperatures in the coming days.