New Delhi: A tormenting heatwave swept through Delhi and neighbouring cities on Sunday with the mercury crossing 49 degrees Celsius in pockets of the national capital. The mercury touched 49.2 degrees Celsius at Mungeshpur in northwest Delhi while Najafgarh in the southwest part of the city recorded 49.1 degrees Celsius.
“We have seen western disturbances in March, April, and May, but none strong enough to bring substantial rainfall. Most either led to cloudy skies or stronger winds, which can push the maximum temperature by a degree or two, but cannot provide relief,” RK Jenamani, a scientist at IMD (India Meteorological Department), said on Sunday about the sizzling temperatures in Delhi.
Sunday was the hottest day in the capital city this year so far. The national capital is reported to have seen only two rainy days in the last few weeks – .3 mm of rain on April 21 and 1.4 mm of rain on May 4. Last month was also the second hottest April in nearly seven decades.
(Smit Soni)
