Sizzling at 43: scorching heat back, delhi burns

Delhiites baked under a scorching 43.2 degrees Celsius of maximum temperature with increased humidity adding to their woes on Saturday.

Delhiites baked under a scorching 43.2 degrees Celsius of maximum temperature with increased humidity adding to their woes on Saturday.

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But that's not all.

The weatherman has predicted a still higher maximum temperature at 44 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

The maximum temperature on Saturday was four notches above normal while the minimum temperature at 27.8 degrees Celsius remained one degree below normal, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Temperature started increasing since late morning itself and there was no respite from the sweltering climate as humidity oscillated between 64 per cent and 35 per cent.

"There would be mainly clear sky. The maximum temperature would hover at around 44 degrees Celsius while the minimum is likely to be around 28 degrees Celsius," the Met official said.

Kritika Sheth, a student, cribbed, "It was hell waiting for an auto-rickshaw in the searing heat. “

“And, even after I finally boarded one to reach my coaching institute in Connaught Place, my skin burnt due to hot waves," Sheth added.

S K Sharma, an advocate, said, "I was to drive all the way from Rohini to Okhla for some personal work.”

“I returned midway due to the unbearable heat,” added Sharma.

Similar high temperatures were recorded at places around Delhi in neighbouring states.

For instance, Phalodi in Rajasthan sizzled at 46.5 degrees Celsius and Kota registered 46.3 degrees Celsius.

In fact, a heat wave has gripped many parts of neighbouring states such as Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh.