Delhi recorded its warmest May night in nearly 14 years on Monday, with temperatures reaching 32.4 °C [1, 2, 3].

This spike in nighttime temperatures prevents the city from cooling down, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses for millions of residents. The lack of nocturnal relief intensifies the physical strain on the population during an ongoing heat wave.

The measurement was taken at the Safdarjung base weather station [1, 2]. According to the India Meteorological Department, this minimum temperature was 5.7 °C to 6 °C above the season's normal [1, 2].

These conditions are part of a broader pattern of intense heat affecting north India. Because temperatures remain significantly above seasonal norms, the IMD has kept a yellow alert in force [1, 3, 4].

A yellow alert indicates that weather conditions may become adverse, requiring residents to take precautions against severe heat. This marks the second warm night recorded this season [1, 3].

Local authorities continue to monitor the situation as the heat wave persists across the region [1, 4].

“Delhi recorded its warmest May night in nearly 14 years”

The record-breaking nighttime temperature suggests a breakdown in the typical diurnal cooling cycle. When minimum temperatures remain high, the human body cannot recover from daytime heat stress, which often leads to a higher incidence of heatstroke and increased energy demand for cooling infrastructure in densely populated urban centers like Delhi.