At 44.6 degrees Celsius, Capital records hottest day of the season

The Capital sizzled at 44.6 degree Celsius on Sunday, making it the hottest day of the season, said officials of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

The maximum temperature recorded at Safdarjung observatory was five notches above normal while the temperature recoded at Palam was 47 degrees. On Saturday, the maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 42.6 and 28.7 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Weather officials said that there were no signs of any respite from the heat for the next two days. However, the Capital may on June 6, receive a few spells of rain and thunderstorms, which will provide some welcome relief.

"The condition will remain the same for the next 48 hours. But between 6 and 8 June, the temperature may drop down, as two to three spells of rain and thunder activity is expected between this period," said Ravinder Vishen, scientist-in-charge, Regional Meteorological Center (RMC).

The sizzling heat wave continued with a hot Sunday morning, while the minimum temperature settled three notches above season's normal at 30.4 degrees Celsius. The humidity levels oscillated between 44 and 15 percent, weather department officials said.

"The anti cyclonic circulation of wind in Northern India is responsible for this rise in temperature," Vishen said.