Maximum temperatures likely to hover around 44 degrees
The Capital experienced another cruelly hot day on Friday, with the maximum temperature settling at 43.5 degrees Celsius, a frightening four degrees higher than what is normal for this time of the year. The minimum at 31.5 degrees Celsius was also three degrees above normal.
“Usually during the month of June, the average maximum temperature is 39 degrees Celsius and the minimum is 28 degrees Celsius,” said the weatherman, adding that the highest recorded temperature during June was 46 degrees Celsius.
The day was dry with a maximum humidity level of 42 per cent and a minimum of 19 per cent. The absence of winds made the atmosphere unbearably dull and oppressive and to make matters worse the ceaselessly bright sun did not set until 7 p.m. “I stepped out of my air-conditioned office around 6 p.m. for a tea break and felt like my body was being pricked by a thousand needles that were on fire,” said an office-goer in Connaught Place.
The sun will continue to stay annoyingly bright and will set only by 7-21 p.m. on Saturday. However, the weatherman said this might change and the sky might become partly cloudy towards late afternoon or evening.
Early June saw some rain bringing down temperatures to a bearable level for a few days, but the rain gods have been particularly harsh to the city this year as the average precipitation of 74 mm during June is nowhere near to being achieved. Rainfall has been completely ruled out and the monsoon is not expected to set in before the end of the month.
Meanwhile, citizens can expect to continue suffering the intense heat for a long time. “Saturday and Sunday will see maximum temperatures of 44 degrees and minimum of 32 degrees, with Monday's temperature dropping slightly to 43 and 31 degrees,” said an India Metrological Department duty officer.
Tuesday will register a maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 30 degrees Celsius.
Keywords: Delhi heat wave
