Mercury hovers around 45 deg C, no relief likely till Friday

There was no respite from intense heat wave for Delhiites today as mercury continued to remain above 45 degree Celsius settling at 45.2 degree Celsius, which was six notches above normal, a day after it had touched 45.5 -- the hottest June temperature in the last ten years.

Temperature remained above the 45 degree mark at almost all major weather observatories in the national capital making life tough for all those who had to venture out. Power crisis in many areas made things added to the woes. While it was 45.2 degree Celsius at Safdarjung observatory, considered to be the official reading for the city, at Palam, the day temperature was recorded at 47 degree Celsius. Mercury settled at 46.3 degree Celsius at Ayanagar while in Ridge area, the maximum temperature was recorded at 45.6 degree Celsius.

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On Sunday, the day temperature had settled at 47.8 degree Celsius in Palam, the hottest in the last 62 years while yesterday it was recorded at 47.6 degree Celsius. The minimum temperature was recorded at 28.1 degree Celsius, which was normal for this part of the season, according to MeT department officials. Hot and dry winds swept the city throughout the day as humidity levels were recorded between 18 and 61 per cent. Weatherman said that maximum temperature is expected to be around 44 degree Celsius tomorrow while the minimum will settle around 30 degree Celsius amid a clear sky. The heat wave conditions are expected to remain for at least two 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 13th and 15th June, it said.

The minimum temperature, however, will continue to hover close to the 30 degree mark. 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 highs 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.