At 47.3 deg C, Maharashtra’s Chandrapur was the hottest place in India on Friday

Officials from Nagpur division of India Meteorological Department said hot weather conditions were expected to continue in north-central Maharashtra and Vidarbha over the weekend

Chandrapur in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region recorded the highest maximum temperature in the country on Friday at 47.3 degrees Celsius, 4.4 degrees above normal.

The weather bureau predicted a partly cloudy sky in Mumbai for Saturday due to the presence of a cyclonic circulation (HT FILE)

Amravati at 44 degrees Celsius, Buldhana at 42.2 degrees Celsius, Nagpur at 44.5 degrees Celsius, and Wardha 45.5 degrees Celsius, all in Vidarbha, recorded their respective highest maximum temperature for the season on the day, the weather bureau said.

Officials from the Nagpur division of India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that hot weather conditions were expected to continue for north central Maharashtra and Vidarbha over the weekend. “From Monday onwards the western part of Vidarbha is expected to get some relief as the weather factors leading to high temperatures are expected to die down marginally. The continuous hot air advection [transfer of heat horizontally through the atmosphere] from northwest parts of the country and lack of moisture in these areas has allowed temperatures to escalate this high,” said AD Tathe, director, Regional Meteorological Centre, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Nagpur.

He said that locations in Rajasthan such as Bundi, Phalodi, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Barmer and Sawai Madhopur, all recorded average maximum temperatures at 44 degrees Celsius. “Chandrapur has recorded abnormally high temperatures this season, and Friday’s maximum temperature has been the highest for the location and the country. Citizens need to ensure they are hydrated, and avoid prolonged outdoor activity,” said Tathe.

The pollutant-measuring indicator – air quality index (AQI) has been in the ‘satisfactory’ category for almost a fortnight. Mumbai recorded an AQI of 72 on Friday, which is expected to increase to 93 on Saturday.

The weather bureau predicted a partly cloudy sky in Mumbai for Saturday due to the presence of a cyclonic circulation over southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep area, which is pulling moisture along the Konkan coastline.