At 44 degree Celsius, mercury rises to season's highest in Delhi

Mercury maintained an upward trend in most parts of the country on Saturday with Delhi and Jamshedpur sweltering under the season’s highest temperatures and many areas experiencing heat wave, forcing people to remain indoors.

The weatherman, however, predicted some respite from the searing heat in the next two-three days due to a fresh western disturbance.

In the national capital, the maximum temperature was recorded at the season’s highest at 44 degree Celsius.

Saturday’s maximum was six notches above the normal, while the minimum settled at 28.4 degree Celsius, seven notches above normal for this time of the year, MeT officials said.

Similarly, temperature increased in parts of Rajasthan where Churu and Sriganganagar were the hottest with a maximum of 44.2 degree Celsius.

Kota registered a maximum of 42.9 degree Celsius whereas Jaipur, Bikaner, Barmer and Jaisalmer recorded day temperatures of 41.5, 41, 40.5 and 39 degree Celsius, respectively.

In the eastern state of Jharkhand, the mercury rose by a few notches in most areas with capital Jamshedpur experiencing the hottest day in three years at 45.1 degree Celsius.

Streets of the steel city wore a deserted look during the day as people preferred to remain indoors. Even the schools have rescheduled their timing and the classes were over by 11.30 am.

Meanwhile, 10 western Odisha districts were in the grip of intense heat wave condition with maximum temperature shooting up to a blistering 46 degrees Celsius in Sundergarh and Sonepur.

The unofficial death toll due to alleged sunstroke increased to 35 in the state. However, the government claimed that no one has so far died due to heat-related incidents.

In Telangana, where 35 people have died due to heat wave this season, the mercury hovered above 40 degree Celsius in many places. Nizambad sizzled under 45 degree Celsius and was the state’s hottest place.

India Meteorological Department has, however, forecast that northwest India is likely to get some respite from the torrid heat over the next two-three days due to a fresh western disturbance but the mercury will continue to soar in central India and other parts of the country.

IMD Director General Laxman Singh Rathore said the fresh western disturbance is over North Pakistan and adjoining areas. “It will start affecting Jammu and Kashmir from April 16 evening. The effect will be there for two-three days,” he said.

Image: Boys play with buffaloes in a pond on a hot day in New Delhi. Photograph: Anindito Mukherjee/Reuters