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Why there is so much humidity in Delhi these days, Is this wet bulb?

Humidity is higher in Delhi as compared to the previous weeks. The reason for this is being said to be easterly winds and monsoon.

By Pallav Jain
New Update
2023 projected to be one of hottest years on record on Earth

Everyone knows about the heat of Delhi. But in the last few weeks, it has become unbearable. After one monsoon rain in Delhi, the heat has made it difficult for humans to live here. Humidity has increased so much that if a person comes out of the house even for 5 minutes, then he takes a sweat shower. Humidity is higher in the first week of July in Delhi as compared to the previous weeks. The reason for this is being said to be easterly winds and monsoon.

Easterly winds bringing moisture from the Bay Bengal, monsoon has also arrived contributing to high humidity levels in Delhi.

The Weather Observatory at Safdarjung recorded 87% humidity from July 1 to July 8. According to the data of IMD, the humidity did not fall below 74 percent for the whole week.

Is Delhi Facing wet Bulb Temperature?

While the human body has a remarkable ability to get rid of excess heat, previous research suggests that even a strong, physically fit person resting in the shade without clothing and unlimited access to drinking water would likely die within hours of readings of “wet bulb” of more than 35° Celsius: equivalent to a heat index of 160° Fahrenheit.

This is because sweat cannot evaporate quickly enough in moisture-saturated air, resulting in the body overheating.

However, even at a wet-bulb temperature of 32° Celsius, these same physically fit people are unlikely to be able to engage in normal outdoor activities. And anything they do in temperatures between 20 and 30° Celsius and with high humidity can be dangerous to human health.

Delhi people are experiencing the same weather from the past week. Day Temperature is not high but people experience too much heat due to humidity.

Delhi Humidity: What is Heat Index?

Till now there is no system for measuring heat index in India. This technology is currently being used only in developed nations. The heat index measures the combined effect of temperature and humidity. It collects historical data on temperature, humidity, and wind speed.

The heat index observes how the human body reacts in this environment and what health problems people face including heat stroke in conditions of humidity and high temperature. It monitors the corresponding human body reaction to the weather.

Heat index preparation has not been done in India yet. We only have the system to measure the temperature.

Extreme weather is being observed all over the world due to climate change, but data collection methods have not yet been developed in India. Many states of North India including Delhi are facing severe heat since the last week of February. People are suffering from the heat, many states have received negligible monsoon rains so far. In such a situation, this situation is becoming dangerous.

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Why are high wet-bulb temperatures so dangerous?

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