There is no respite from high humid easterly winds blowing from the Bay of Bengal as the national Capital recorded 34.1 degrees Celsius wet-bulb temperature on Tuesday.
Delhi recorded 42 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, four notches above than the normal but gave the feeling of 48 degrees Celsius and severe humidity has made the outdoors feel particularly unbearable.
The increase in temperature combined with humidity is causing great discomfort to the public. The minimum temperature of Delhi settled at 30.8 degrees Celsius, three notches warmer than the normal for this time of the year.
Meanwhile, some parts of the national capital witnessed light rain on Tuesday afternoon. These include ITO, Mandi House, Tilak Marg, Ring Road, DDU Marg, Vikas Marg and Laxmi Nagar.
In simpler terms, wet bulb temperature combines heat and humidity to indicate how much evaporation can be absorbed into the air. It measures the lowest temperatures that our bodies can reach when we are in hotter environments, by sweating.
IMD scientist RK Jenamani said high humidity increased discomfort in the last few days though the temperatures hovered around 41-42 degrees Celsius. Pre-monsoon convection may lead to light rainfall in the national capital on Wednesday evening and provide relief from the heat.
Mahesh Palawat, a senior official of the Skymet weather department told the Pioneer that the reason behind the increasing humidity in the weather of the capital is because of the easterly winds.
“Another reason behind the rising humidity is due to the increased wet bulb temperature, which is the temperature of evaporation. If the temperature of the wet bulb soars then the humidity also increases in the weather, which leads to discomfort,” he said.
“If the humidity increases, then the body sweat is not able to dry due to which the body fails to cool down. This is the main reason behind the continuous sweating and the problems faced by the Delhiites,” he said.
While informing about the reason behind the increasing minimum temperature in the Capital, Palawat said that this is because the easterly winds which are flowing all the way from Bay of Bengal, are humid in nature which does not let the temperature cool down.
The western winds are dry in nature which leads the temperature to dip to normal. “When I came out of my office to have lunch, the heat was unbearable. Within minutes, I was sweating a lot due to humidity. It was not possible to stand and have lunch at a shop,” said Shweta Singh, who works in a private company at Connaught Place.
Due to humid weather, most of the food joints in Connaught Place also witnessed a deserted look.
“We had delivery orders today as, due to humidity, no one was willing to come here at the food shop,” said Amrik, a food joint owner near Barakhamba.
Shivam Sadana, employee of a private organisation said, “I travel to office with my bike and it was very difficult for me today, due to high humidity in the weather, my body was continuously sweating even while riding the bike, I had to remove my helmet and swipe of sweats on my face and head,” said Sadana.
“Even coolers were not functioning properly due to humidity. I hope the monsoon comes quickly and we get respite from such sweaty and sticky weather,” Sadana added.
