City sees 2nd hottest March day in 65 years

On Sunday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a maximum temperature of 39.2 degrees Celsius. The minimum stayed at 19.5 degrees Celsius.

Delhi is burning already.

HT Image

A hotter March was last seen in the Capital only in 1945.

On Sunday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a maximum temperature of 39.2 degrees Celsius. The minimum stayed at 19.5 degrees Celsius.

Only on March 31, 1945 was Delhi still hotter — at 40.6 degrees C.

Six years ago, on March 23, 2004, the mercury hit the same level, 39.2 degrees C, but did not cross it.

“The day’s maximum temperature was about seven degrees above average,” said an IMD official.

IMD officials claimed there would be no respite from the searing heat till Tuesday.

Only two months ago, Delhiites were shivering through one of the coldest winters in years. Maximum temperatures in January hovered below 15 degrees Celsius for several days.

But if March is any indication, the coldest winter in years will soon be followed by one of the hottest summers.