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Delhi records second hottest April in 72 years, says IMD
The national capital on Friday touched highest temperatures of 46 degrees Celsius.
Delhi has recorded its second hottest April in 72 years with an average monthly maximum temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius, said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday. The national capital had recorded an average monthly maximum temperature of 40.4 degrees Celsius in 2010.
According to the IMD, Delhi was expected to touch the highest temperatures of 46 degrees Celsius. However, as per the weather department, the temperature is likely to drop after May 2.
The Safdarjung observatory - Delhi's base station - recorded the highest temperature of April in 12 years at 43.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday. In 2010, the national capital had witnessed the highest temperature 43.7 degrees Celsius.
Also read: Heatwave bakes north India; IMD issues 'orange alert' | 10 points
The all-time high temperature for the month was recorded on April 29, 1941, at 45.6 degrees Celsius.
As the extreme heatwave intensified this week, the IMD issued an orange alert for five states, including Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha. Along with this, an orange alert has also been issued for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra for the next four days. An ‘orange’ alert means that residents must be prepared.
Also read: Explained: What is a heatwave and how to protect yourself
The weather department on Thursday has predicted heatwave conditions for parts of north and central India for the next five days and in east India for the next three days. "Heatwave conditions over northwest and central India during next 5 days and over east India during next 3 days and abate thereafter. Rain/thunderstorm accompanied with lightning/gusty winds likely to continue over northeast India," the IMD said in its bulletin.
The sweltering heat is also leading to power shortages across the country as there is a massive increase in the demand for power supply. The Delhi government has also expressed concerns over the coal shortages and power cuts in the city.
