No respites from the heat as mercury touches 46.5° in National Capital

The national Capital continued to reel under blistering heat as mercury crossed the 46-degree mark on Tuesday. The maximum temperature recorded at the Palam Observatory was 46.5 degrees Celsius, five notches about the season's average. The weather department had predicted dust or thunderstorm for Tuesday in its last forecast, but respite eluded the city and its National Capital Region.

The minimum temperature at Palam was 27.2 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal. The Safdarjung observatory touched a maximum temperature of 44.4 degrees Celsius, four points above normal, while the minimum was one degree below normal at 25.9 degrees Celsius.

Tuesday afternoon was blistering as the sun scorched bright, adding to the heat wave. People also chose to stay indoors because of the searing heat. The Indian Meteorological Department has, however, predicted, rain or thundershowers with strong gusty winds on Wednesday that will bring the mercury down by a few degrees. The maximum temperature is likely to come down to 41 degrees Celsius if it rains on Wednesday.

The respite, however, could be short-lived as the weatherman has forecast heat wave to start again from Thursday. Strong surface winds will blow during the daytime adding to the hot weather. The maximum temperature will hover between 41 and 42 degrees Celsius and the sky will remain clear.

Meanwhile, Delhi also continues to face water woes in peak summer season, offering little cheer to residents. Neighbouring state Haryana has cut the supply it used to give to Delhi, making matters worse. "This is a perennial issue. I stay awake the whole night in anticipation that the supply will come. There is not enough water to drink or do any household chores, and the government does not seem to be bothered, too," said Sarita Kashyap, a resident of Rohini.

Also, random power cuts have kept the residents anxious across various parts of the city. "Suddenly in the middle of the night, they start with load shedding. Our lives have become an endless struggle for water and power," complained Rajesh Garg, a resident of Malviya Nagar.