Delhi heatwave: 41°C heat, 48°C 'feels like' temp grip capital on June 29
Synopsis
Delhi's thermometer reads 41°C, but the body feels 48°C — a 7-degree gap driven by surging humidity that makes this one of the capital's most oppressive pre-monsoon stretches. With Safdarjung logging minimums nearly 3°C above normal and no meaningful rain until Tuesday at the earliest, heat-illness risk is peaking right now.
Key Takeaways
Delhi is forecast to hit a maximum of 41 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 29 June , with a heat index of around 48 degrees Celsius .
On Saturday, 28 June , the actual max was 41.3°C but the heat index reached 48.4°C — 4.1°C above normal .
Safdarjung recorded a minimum of 30.8°C on Saturday, 2.9°C above normal .
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Tuesday and Wednesday , forecasting rain and thunderstorms.
Temperatures are expected to ease to 35–37°C by Wednesday as weather conditions change.
New Delhi is bracing for another punishing day on Sunday, 29 June, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a maximum temperature of 41 degrees Celsius and a heat index — or 'feels like' temperature — of approximately 48 degrees Celsius during peak afternoon hours. Soaring humidity levels are amplifying the thermal stress, raising the risk of heat-related illnesses across the national capital.
Saturday's Numbers Set the Tone
The forecast follows a sweltering Saturday, 28 June, when Delhi's actual maximum temperature settled at 41.3 degrees Celsius — 4.1 degrees Celsius above normal — while the heat index climbed to a scorching 48.4 degrees Celsius, making outdoor exposure significantly more dangerous than the recorded figure suggested.
Safdarjung, the city's base weather station, logged a minimum temperature of 30.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday — 2.9 degrees Celsius above normal and 2.1 degrees Celsius higher than the previous day. Other stations echoed the trend: Palam recorded a minimum of 28.4 degrees Celsius, up 0.9 degrees Celsius from Friday, while Lodhi Road saw an increase of 2.4 degrees Celsius.
What Sunday's Forecast Looks Like
The IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies for Sunday, with the possibility of a thunderstorm developing during the afternoon or evening. Strong surface winds of 20–30 kmph, with gusts reaching 40 kmph, are also expected through the day. Only trace rainfall was recorded in isolated parts of Delhi during the early hours of Saturday, with no significant precipitation for the rest of the day.
Maximum temperatures are expected to remain in the 39–41 degrees Celsius range on Sunday before easing to 35–37 degrees Celsius by Wednesday. Minimum temperatures are likely to hover between 28–30 degrees Celsius in the interim.
Yellow Alert for Tuesday and Wednesday
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Tuesday and Wednesday, forecasting rain and thunderstorms across the capital. 'There is a possibility of very light to light rain in the coming days, with weather conditions intensifying on Tuesday and Wednesday, when a yellow alert has been issued,' an IMD official said.
The alert signals that residents and outdoor workers should remain cautious, particularly during afternoon hours when heat stress peaks. Authorities have previously urged vulnerable groups — the elderly, children, and outdoor labourers — to avoid direct sun exposure between noon and 4 pm during such conditions.
Why the Heat Index Matters More Than the Thermometer
The gap between the recorded temperature and the 'feels like' figure — nearly 7 degrees Celsius on Saturday — underscores why the heat index has become a critical public health metric. High humidity prevents sweat from evaporating efficiently, trapping body heat and accelerating the onset of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. With the monsoon's arrival in Delhi still awaited, the combination of pre-monsoon heat and rising moisture is expected to persist through early next week before rain provides relief.
Point of View
And it is being under-reported relative to its public health significance. Delhi's pre-monsoon window is consistently producing this humidity-amplified heat stress, yet civic preparedness — cooling centres, outdoor worker advisories, hospital heat-casualty protocols — rarely scales to match IMD warnings. The yellow alert for Tuesday is welcome, but a single day of rain will not undo a week of accumulated thermal load on a city of 20 million. The real accountability question is whether municipal and health authorities activated response plans before Sunday's peak, not after.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather forecast for Delhi on 29 June 2025?
The IMD forecasts a maximum temperature of 41 degrees Celsius for Delhi on Sunday, 29 June, with partly cloudy skies and the possibility of a thunderstorm in the afternoon or evening. High humidity will push the heat index to around 48 degrees Celsius during peak hours, making conditions feel significantly harsher than the recorded temperature.
What is the heat index and why is it important for Delhi right now?
The heat index, or 'feels like' temperature, combines air temperature and humidity to reflect how hot conditions actually feel to the human body. On Saturday, 28 June, Delhi's heat index hit 48.4°C against a recorded max of 41.3°C — a gap of over 7°C — because high humidity prevents efficient sweat evaporation, sharply raising the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Has the IMD issued any weather alert for Delhi this week?
Yes, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Tuesday and Wednesday, forecasting rain and thunderstorms across the capital. An IMD official said conditions are expected to intensify on those days, with very light to light rain possible in the days leading up to the alert period.
When will Delhi get relief from the heatwave?
Temperatures are expected to ease from the 39–41°C range on Sunday to 35–37°C by Wednesday, aided by forecast rain and thunderstorms. The yellow alert for Tuesday and Wednesday signals the most likely window for meaningful weather relief.
Which weather stations in Delhi recorded above-normal temperatures on 28 June?
Safdarjung, the city's base station, recorded a minimum of 30.8°C — 2.9°C above normal — and a maximum of 41.3°C, which was 4.1°C above normal. Palam logged a minimum of 28.4°C and Lodhi Road saw its minimum rise by 2.4°C compared to the previous day.
