With no rain in sight, the national Capital on Tuesday reeled under intense hot weather as the maximum temperature broke Monday’s record to make it the hottest August day in 23 years. However, there may be some respite from the scorching sun for city dwellers in the coming days as the Met department has predicted overcast conditions in the coming days.
The maximum temperature was recorded at 39.4 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung observatory, considered the official reading for the Capital. It was six degrees above the season’s average making it the hottest August day since 1991 when the mercury reached 40.9 degrees Celsius. As rains continue to elude from the national Capital, the mercury refused to plummet even on Monday when it had touched 39.1 degrees Celsius, which was five degrees above normal for this time of the year. However, Tuesday’s temperature broke all previous records.
“It is the hottest day of August since 1991. People can expect some respite around the weekend as light rains are predicted,” said BP Yadav, director, Indian Meteorological Department, New Delhi. The minimum temperature also hovered close to the 30-degree mark and settled around 29 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal. Humidity levels during the day oscillated between 36 and 69 per cent during the day. The maximum temperature at Palam station on Tuesday was 40.6 degrees Celsius, Ayanagar recorded a high of 40.6 degrees Celsius and the Ridge recorded a maximum of 40.2 degrees.
For Wednesday, the weatherman has predicted a partly cloudy sky, although the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 39 degrees only. “Overcast conditions may prevail on Wednesday. Even thundery conditions could occur in some areas,” said a Met official. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be 39 and 29 degrees respectively.
However, the weatherman has also maintained that despite overcast conditions, there won’t be much relief from the intense heat until Thursday. “Similar weather is expected in the next three days. There is a possibility of light rain towards the weekend which could bring the temperature down,” said the Met department.
The city is also experiencing one of the driest August in at least five years with only four days of rain so far. The city normally receives 253mm of rain in this month but it hasn’t received even half of that so far.