Hottest day in Delhi today as mercury soars to 45 degrees | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
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Hottest day in Delhi today as mercury soars to 45 degrees

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByHT Correspondent
May 26, 2018 10:38 PM IST

A Met department official said the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 45 degrees Celsius during the next two days.

Delhi reeled under the season’s first heatwave on Saturday with the maximum temperature touching 45 degrees Celsius, five degrees above the season’s normal.

A man covers his face to protect himself from heat during a hot summer day in the old quarters of New Delhi on May 25, 2018.(AFP)
A man covers his face to protect himself from heat during a hot summer day in the old quarters of New Delhi on May 25, 2018.(AFP)

The reading was at the Safdarjung observatory, which is considered the official weather station for the national Capital. Such highs have already been recorded on the outskirts at the Palam observatory, where the 45 degrees Celsius mark was breached on May 22.

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A heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature shoots up beyond 40 degrees Celsius and is at least four degrees above normal. “Till now, the city has only been experiencing heatwave-like conditions,” a Met department official said.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said the minimum temperature settled at 24.5 degree Celsius, two degrees lower than the season’s normal.

People in the city will have to brave the sweltering heat on Sunday as well, with a marginal dip expected on Monday.

The maximum on Sunday is also likely to stay at 45°C. The minimum temperature on Sunday and Monday is likely to hover around 25 and 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

Soaring temperatures have led to a spike in the number of fires reported in the Capital. Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said that in the last four days, its control room had received around 150 calls, with garbage piles, bushes and green patches catching fire.

“Such incidents are usually reported from heaps of garbage or grass and forest areas which become dry due to immense heat...These places easily catch fire if a passerby leaves a cigarette or a matchstick...Any combustible item that has a high temperature is likely to catch fire easily and faster. Our sole aim during any rescue operation is to ensure zero casualties,” said chief fire officer Atul Garg.

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