Delhiites feel the heat as mercury touches 44 degree C

New Delhi, June 23 (ANI): Mercury level touched the 44-degree Celsius mark, five degrees about normal here on Tuesday.

The usual hustle-bustle of traffic and people on Delhi roads was missing on Tuesday with most of the local people preferring to stay indoors.

Major landmarks, like India Gate, which attracts hundreds of tourists every day, saw a miniscule arrival of visitors today.

"The temperature is high in New Delhi. I came to Delhi on a holiday but it is really hot here... Ii is hard even to step out in such weather," said Rajendra Verma, a tourist.

People, who were compelled to move out of their houses, could be seen running for shelter under trees or carrying umbrellas to avoid the sunrays.

Local residents opined that it would be unwise for anyone to move out without taking necessary precautions against the sweltering heat.

"I want to say that please take protection during summers...drink lemon water and try to avoid stepping out in the sun," said Monika, a local resident.

Meanwhile, Indian Meteorological Department has warned that this situation would continue for the next four-five days.

"We are not expecting any respite from this heat wave condition over north-west India because such type of weather will continue for another four days, so temperature will around 44 and 45 over northwest India will prevail for another four or five days," said B. S. Yadav, an official of the Indian Meteorological Department.

He added that southwest monsoon might cover western India by first week of July. By Sameer (ANI)