No respite from heat, hotter days ahead, says met office

New Delhi, Apr 15 (UNI) There was no respite Delhiites today from the scorching summer heat with the mercury, continuing its rising trend over the past few days, shot to 40 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal.

While the maximum temperature in Delhi rose from yesterday's 38.6 degrees C to 40 degrees C today, the minimum increased to 24.4 degrees C, four degrees above normal.

This is the third time in the last five years that the mercury has touched the 40 degrees Celsius mark in the month of April.

The previous occasion when the maximum touched 40 degrees C was in 2004 and 2006.

The hot weather over Delhi is likely to intensify in the coming days with the weathermen forecasting the prevailing heat wave conditions over Northwest Indian plains to continue during the next 48 hours.

The met office has forecast a mainly clear sky in Delhi during the next 24 hours. They have also forecast a rise in maximum temperature to 40 degrees C.

Delhi and other parts of Northwest India have been reeling under a severe heat wave for the last four days with the mercury hovering at three to four degrees above normal.

The scorching heat has forced people of Delhi to remain indoor in the comfort of their homes and offices.

UNI