Mercury soars to a record 45.5-degree Celsius in Delhi

, June 9: As mercury continued to soar to record levels, the national capital sizzled at 45.5 degree Celsius, six notches above normal and

for the month of June in last ten years in the city. In Palam, the day temperature settled at 47.6 degree Celsius, a day after it had registered 47.8 degree Celsius, the hottest in the last 62 years.

[Read: (Pics) Delhi left parched when it rains in Kerala]

"Today's maximum temperature of 45.5 degree Celsius was highest in the month of June since 2004," the Met office said. It said there will be no respite from the intense heat wave in the city as maximum temperature is expected to be around 46 degree Celsius in the next few days.

The minimum temperature today was recorded at 30.1 degree Celsius, two notches above normal, and slightly up from yesterday when it had settled at 28.6 degree C.

In Palam, the temperature settled at 47.6-degree Celsius

People, who ventured out of their residences and offices, had to suffer the piercing sun and humid weather conditions. The reading of 45.5 degree Celsius is of Safdarjung observatory, considered to be the official reading for the city. The humidity levels oscillated between 52 and 19 per cent during the day.

The current spell of extreme hot weather conditions began on June 3 when mercury crossed the 40 degree mark to settle at 41.7 degree Celsius. The next day, it soared to 43.4 degree Celsius. On June 5 the day temperature soared to 44.7 degree Celsius.

The mercury bettered its record the next day on June 6 when it settled at 45 degree Celsius, crossing the 45 degree mark for the first time this season. Meanwhile, temperature at Palam observatory was touching new heights everyday. It registered at 47.2 degree Celsius on June 6, setting a new record for the last 19 years.

The record-breaking spree stopped temporarily for a day on June 7 when the day temperature at Safdarjung observatory was recorded at 44.9 degree Celsius while at Palam it was 47 degree Celsius. On June 8, mercury shot up yet again to settle at 45.1 degree Celsius while at Palam it shattered all records of the last 62 years by reaching 47.8 degree Celsius. The heat wave conditions are expected to remain for at least three more days.

The Met office said mercury is expected to remain in the 43-45 degree bracket till June 12. Possibilities of dust storm and partly cloudy sky may bring the temperature down to the 41-42 degree bracket between June 13 and 15, it said. The minimum temperature, however, will continue to hover close to the 30 degree mark.

Meanwhile, protest took place in the national capital against the continuing power failure. The authorities, however, failed to assure any immediate relief.

PTI