The Hindu : Front Page : Delhi simmers at 44.2 degrees

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Saturday, May 02, 2009
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Delhi simmers at 44.2 degrees

Staff Reporter

PHOTO: V. V. KRISHNAN

INSIDE HOT DELHI: Primary class children leaving Mater Dei School after classes on Friday afternoon. –

NEW DELHI: The Capital on Friday experienced the season’s hottest day so far with the mercury shooting up to a scorching 44.2 degrees Celsius from 42.8 degrees on Thursday.

The maximum temperature was five degrees above normal and in line with the trend of the past few days, forcing many people to remain indoors to escape the searing heat. Quite a few of those who did venture out in the afternoon were seen sporting caps and scarves and hiding under umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun.

The minimum temperature on Friday settled at 24.8 degrees, up from 24.3 on Thursday.

According to Indian Meteorological Department director B. P. Yadav, the winds blowing from the northern deserts are responsible for the high temperatures of the past couple of days.

The highest temperature in the month of May so far was recorded on May 29, 1944, when the mercury soared to 47.2 degrees Celsius.

Similar conditions to continue

The weatherman has forecast similar conditions in the next couple of days as well with the maximum temperature expected to hover around 43 degrees and the minimum around 23 degrees.

“There is nothing abnormal about this trend of rising temperatures as this is summer. Last year, too, a maximum of 43 degrees was recorded on May 1. So there has been no major departure from the set trend of summer temperatures in Delhi,” said the weatherman, adding, “The moisture level in the air is very low which is also contributing to the rise in maximum temperatures.”

Summer vacation

In view of the soaring temperatures, the Delhi Government’s Directorate of Education had on Thursday advised all schools in the Capital to close for summer vacation from Friday or latest by Saturday. Though some private schools have heeded the advice, several others have decided to continue with their classes up to May 15 as planned earlier.

“We have already shut down our junior section for the summer vacation, Thursday being their last working day. For the senior section, this coming Wednesday (May 6) will be the last working day. Earlier we had planned to hold classes up to May 15, but then we decided to go by the Government’s advisory,” said Shyama Chona, Principal of Delhi Public School in R. K. Puram.

C.R.P.F. Public School in Rohini closed its pre-primary wing on Friday. However, senior students will continue with their classes up to May 8.

Schedule altered

Similarly, Blue Bells International School in Kailash Colony has altered its schedule for the junior wing. Instead of closing from May 16, the children will now have classes only up to May 8. However, senior students will continue to attend classes till May 15 as planned earlier.

The junior wing at Laxman Public School in Hauz Khas Enclave was shut down on Friday.

“The senior wing will remain open till May 8 up to 12 noon as there is an annual house function going on,” said Principal Usha Ram.

At Tagore International School in Vasant Vihar, May 6 will be the last working day for all classes, which had been decided even before the Government’s advisory.

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