New Delhi: Visitors at the India Gate on a hot summer day, in New Delhi, Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | Photo Credit: PTI

Delhi experienced searing heat on Thursday with the minimum temperature settling at 31.9 degrees Celsius, 5.2 notches above the season's average.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted a heat wave for the day and the maximum temperature is expected to settle at 46 degrees Celsius.

The air quality was recorded in the 'moderate' category at 9 am on Thursday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 153, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.

According to the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.

Published on May 21, 2026