This is the first time in 72 years that Delhi has recorded such a high temperature in the first fortnight of April.
New Delhi:
Battling the scorching heat, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 42.6 degrees Celsius on Monday, the highest in five years in April, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The capital has recorded five heatwave days in April this year so far, the maximum in at least 12 years. IMD data shows that it had recorded four such days in April 2017.
Due to cloudy sky from Tuesday, there will be some respite from the scorching heat. However, ‘Yellow’ alert for heat wave continues in some parts of the city. IMD uses four color codes for weather warnings – green (no action needed), yellow (watch and stay updated), orange (be prepared) and red (take action).
The Safdarjung Observatory, which is considered the city’s official marker, recorded a maximum temperature of 42.6 degrees Celsius, seven notches above normal.
The maximum temperature in the capital was recorded at 43.2 degree Celsius on April 21, 2017. The highest ever maximum temperature of the month was recorded on April 29, 1941 at 45.6 °C.
This is also the first time in 72 years that Delhi has recorded such a high temperature in the first fortnight of April.
The Sports Complex station was the hottest place in the city with a maximum temperature of 44.1 degree Celsius. The mercury went above 42 degree Celsius at most places.
In the plains, a ‘heatwave’ is declared when the maximum temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius and is at least 4.5 degrees above normal. According to the IMD, if the departure from normal temperature is more than 6.4 degrees, a ‘severe heat wave’ is declared.
Heat wave conditions have been prevailing in parts of the national capital for the past one week with the maximum temperature hovering above 40 degrees Celsius.
IMD officials said hot weather conditions in northwest India have turned “severe” due to the prolonged drought.
The Meteorological Department said that Northwest India and adjoining parts of Central India are predicted to see more intense and persistent heatwave conditions in April.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)