Delhi’s warmest July day in two years has renewed concerns over intensifying heat stress even during the peak monsoon season. On Sunday, the national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 38.6°C, making it the hottest July day since July 11, 2024, when the mercury reached 38.8°C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The unusually high temperatures came despite scattered rainfall across parts of Delhi-NCR, highlighting the erratic nature of this year’s monsoon.

While heavy showers brought temporary relief and caused waterlogging in several areas, the city remained hot and humid, with relative humidity touching 92%.

Hottest July Day Since 2024

• The IMD reported that Delhi’s maximum temperature settled at 38.6°C, which is 2°C above the seasonal average.
• The minimum temperature also remained unusually high at 29.2°C, making it the warmest July night since July 2, 2024, when the city recorded 30.7°C.
• Warm nights are particularly concerning because they provide little relief from daytime heat, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Rainfall Brings Relief but Causes Waterlogging

Although temperatures remained exceptionally high, several parts of Delhi-NCR received moderate rainfall during the afternoon.

While the rain offered brief relief from the heat, it was unevenly distributed across the region. Chhatarpur received the highest rainfall at 49 mm, leading to waterlogging in several areas. Gurugram recorded 35 mm, while Mehrauli (18 mm) and Greater Noida (17 mm) also experienced moderate showers. Najafgarh and Janakpuri saw lighter rainfall of 8 mm and 7 mm, respectively. Despite the showers, the overall cooling effect remained limited due to high humidity and soaring daytime temperatures.

The showers temporarily lowered temperatures in some localities but also resulted in waterlogging, especially in Chhatarpur, disrupting traffic and daily activities.

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Monsoon Pattern Shifts Across North India

Delhi’s warmest July day in two years comes as weather experts observe significant changes in the southwest monsoon circulation.

According to the IMD, the seasonal monsoon trough shifted southwards due to a low-pressure system over Odisha and an associated cyclonic circulation extending into parts of Madhya Pradesh and southern Sindh.  This temporarily reduced rainfall over Delhi while allowing temperatures to rise.

Meteorologists expect the trough to gradually move back toward Delhi and the Indo-Gangetic plains during the coming days, increasing the likelihood of more widespread monsoon showers.

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Heatwave Persists Across Several Parts of India

Delhi’s weather is part of a broader pattern of extreme heat affecting several regions of the country.

• Large parts of western, central, and northwestern India continue to experience above-normal temperatures even as monsoon rains remain uneven.
• States including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have witnessed prolonged dry spells, raising concerns over agriculture, water availability, and heat stress.

The ongoing strengthening of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean has also raised concerns among climate scientists, as the phenomenon is often associated with weaker monsoon rainfall and more frequent heatwaves across India.

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Air Quality Remains Moderate Despite Rain

Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘Moderate’ category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 155, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Sunday. The CPCB classifies AQI values between 101 and 200 as moderate, meaning air quality is generally acceptable but may pose health concerns for sensitive groups.

As climate change contributes to more frequent weather extremes, the unusual combination of heatwaves and erratic monsoon rainfall is becoming an increasingly common feature of India’s summer season.

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