A pedestrian quenches his thirst on a hot summer day at Connaught Place in New Delhi on Sunday.
Highlight
- The mercury is expected to cross 40 degrees on Monday
- Maximum temperature in Northwest India may rise by three to five degrees Celsius
- By Thursday, the mercury in Delhi is likely to touch the level of 44 degrees.
The India Meteorological Department said on Sunday that the temperature is expected to rise in Delhi but there is no possibility of heat wave in the capital till Thursday. Delhi’s base station Safdarjung Observatory on Sunday recorded a maximum temperature of 39.5 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal for this time of year.
Amidst clear skies, the mercury is expected to cross the 40 degree mark on Monday and gradually reach 44 degree Celsius by Thursday. The IMD has predicted that the maximum temperature is likely to rise by three to five degrees Celsius over most parts of Northwest India during the next five days.
By Thursday, the mercury in Delhi is likely to touch the level of 44 degrees. The city has recorded eight heatwave days in April this year, the most since the month saw 11 such days in 2010.
In the plains, a heat wave 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 heatwave is declared.
The maximum temperature in the national capital was recorded at 43.2 degree Celsius on April 21, 2017. The highest ever recorded maximum temperature for the month was 45.6 °C on April 29, 1941. The Meteorological Department had earlier said in Northwest India and adjoining parts. Central India is likely to witness more intense and persistent heatwave conditions in April.