The heat wave sweeping northern India is likely to abate in a day or two owing to moist south-westerly winds, the weather department said on Wednesday.

"Conditions are favourable for dust storms over Delhi and nearby areas. We are expecting a fall in temperatures," Dr R D Singh of the Indian Meteorology Department said.

Moist south-westerly winds are pumping moisture from the Arabian Sea into Delhi, Haryana, west Rajasthan and Punjab. "Temperatures will definitely come down if this trend continues," Singh said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Delhi recorded a temperature of 44.6 degrees Celsius, lower from Tuesday's 45 degree Celsius, he said. West Rajasthan too has registered lower temperatures.

Tuesday night was the hottest of the season in Delhi with minimum temperature at 32.5 degree Celsius.