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Double attack of humidity and heat in Delhi, ‘feels like’ temperature reaches 51.3°C.
Delhi’s feels like temperature reached its highest level this year on Saturday. According to the Meteorological Department, although the actual temperature in the capital was lower than this, due to excessive humidity, the feel-like temperature of Delhi was recorded at 51.3 degrees Celsius.
Due to the rising feels like temperature in Delhi, people had to face intense heat as well as humidity. Experts say that Delhi’s feel-like temperatures have a greater impact on the body than the actual temperature, as high humidity prevents sweat from drying quickly. Therefore, Delhi’s feel like temperatures can be a health concern.
There was intense sunshine and humidity in the capital since Saturday morning. As the day progressed, the humidity level in the air kept increasing, which made it difficult for people to go out. According to meteorologists, when both feels like temperature and humidity are high, the body has difficulty cooling down and the person feels much hotter than the actual temperature. This condition is called “feels like” or heat index.
For the first time this year, Delhi’s heat index reached 51.3 degrees Celsius, indicating the severity of the current weather. The streets appeared relatively empty during the afternoon and people preferred to stay indoors to avoid the sun. Experts have advised the elderly, children and people with pre-existing medical conditions to take special precautions.
However, according to the Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of change in weather from the beginning of the week. Light to moderate rain and cloudy weather is expected in the capital from Monday. This is expected to bring down the temperature and provide relief to people from the scorching heat.
However, experts say that humidity may persist for some time even after the rain. Therefore, people have been advised to drink adequate amount of water, avoid staying in the sun for long periods and wear light cotton clothes.
This change in weather will not be limited to reducing the temperature only, but some improvement can also be seen in air quality and environment. The weather in the capital is expected to remain relatively pleasant in the coming days.
What exactly is ‘feels like’ temperature and why is it different from the actual temperature?
Many people hear “feels like” temperatures in weather reports, but don’t know what it means. Feels Like Temperature or Heat Index is the temperature that a person feels on their body. This includes not only the actual temperature, but also the humidity in the air, wind speed and other weather-related factors.
When there is high humidity in the atmosphere, the sweat coming out of the body does not dry easily. Sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling itself. However, high humidity slows this process down, making a person feel hotter than they actually are.
The same situation was seen in Delhi on Saturday. Temperatures weren’t much higher than normal, but the heat index reached 51.3 degrees Celsius due to high humidity levels, making people feel extremely hot and uncomfortable.
According to experts, as the heat index increases, the risk of problems like heat stroke, dehydration and fatigue may increase. In such weather, it is considered better to drink more water, avoid sunlight and go out only when necessary.
The Meteorological Department has predicted rain from Monday, due to which the temperature is expected to drop. However, humidity may persist for some time after the rain. Therefore, despite the changing weather, people have been advised to continue taking health precautions.
Chances of rain from Monday, will Delhiites get relief from the scorching heat?
According to the Meteorological Department, the weather in Delhi-NCR is likely to change from Monday. Cloudy sky, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected in some areas. This can provide relief to people from the severe heat and humidity that has been continuing for the last several days.
Due to rain, the maximum temperature is likely to drop by a few degrees. The impact of hot winds will also diminish. However, meteorologists say that the humidity in the air may increase immediately after the rain, due to which humidity may persist for some time.
According to experts, monsoon activities are gradually becoming active and its effect will be visible on the weather of the capital also. If there is continuous rain then the temperature may reach close to normal levels.
People have been advised to continue drinking adequate water, wear light clothing and keep an eye on the latest weather warnings despite the changing weather.
Who needs to be most careful in this extreme heat and humidity?
When the heat index or ‘feels like’ temperature reaches above 50°C, the impact is not just limited to discomfort but can also have serious health implications. In such weather, elderly people, small children, pregnant women and people already suffering from heart, diabetes or respiratory diseases should take special precautions.
According to doctors, extreme heat and humidity increase the risk of problems like dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Prolonged sun exposure, not drinking enough water, and strenuous physical activity can further increase the risk.
Experts advise avoiding unnecessary outings during the afternoon. If it is necessary to go out, carry a water bottle with you, wear light colored cotton clothes and keep the body hydrated. If any person experiences symptoms like dizziness, extreme weakness, severe headache or fainting, he should seek medical help immediately.
What are the main reasons behind the ‘feels like’ increase in temperature?
Several meteorological reasons are responsible for the ‘feels like’ temperature reaching 51.3 degrees Celsius in Delhi this time. The primary reason is the excessive moisture present in the air. When there is high humidity in the atmosphere, the sweat coming out of the body does not dry quickly. This affects the body’s natural cooling system and the person feels much hotter than the actual temperature.
Apart from this, strong sunlight, low wind speed and continuously increasing temperature for the last few days have also been responsible for this situation. Meteorologists say that before the arrival of monsoon, such conditions often arise when heat and humidity together increase the heat index significantly.
Urbanization is also considered an important reason for increasing this problem. Concrete buildings, roads and less greenery make cities hotter for longer. This is called the urban heat island effect, which makes temperatures in large cities feel even higher.
Health experts say that it is most important to keep the body cool in such weather. It is very important to drink enough water, consume coconut water and other fluids, eat light food and avoid sunlight.
If it rains from Monday as predicted by the weather department, the temperature is likely to drop. However, due to high humidity, humidity may persist for some time after the rain. Therefore, people should make necessary changes in their daily routine according to the changing weather.
What changes will happen in Delhi’s weather in the future and what should people do?
Amidst the scorching heat and humidity in Delhi, people are now keeping an eye on the next forecast of the Meteorological Department. The possibility of rain from Monday has certainly raised hopes of relief, but experts say that it may take some time for the weather to become completely normal.
If the forecast rains occur, the maximum temperatures will drop and the heat wave-like conditions may end. However, due to increase in humidity in the air after rain, humidity may persist for some time. Therefore, people should not believe that the heat will completely end with the rain. The Meteorological Department has appealed to people to avoid going out unnecessarily during the hottest time of the day. Drink plenty of water, wear light and cotton clothes and take special care of children and the elderly. People working outside are advised to take rest in the shade from time to time and keep the body hydrated.
Experts believe that with the monsoon activities intensifying in the coming days, further changes may be seen in the weather of the capital. Due to this, there is a possibility of further drop in temperature, but humidity may persist at times.
Overall, the ‘feels like’ temperature of 51.3 degrees Celsius recorded in Delhi on Saturday was the highest this year and highlighted the severe weather conditions in the capital. Now the possible rain from Monday can bring relief to the people. In such a situation, keeping an eye on the updates of the Meteorological Department and following health related precautions will be most important in the coming days.
