Amid intense heatwave in the national Capital, the Safdarjung observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 43.5 degrees Celsius, highest in April in the last 12 years. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued an orange alert, warning the city residents of a severe heatwave on Friday.
The national capital had recorded a maximum temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius on April 18, 2010. The all-time high temperature for the month was 45.6 degrees Celsius recorded on April 29, 1941.
The mercury leaped to 46 degrees Celsius at Sports Complex, making it the warmest place in the capital. Ridge (45.1 degrees Celsius), Mungeshpur (45.8 degrees Celsius), Najafgarh (45.4 degrees Celsius) and Pitampura (45.2 degrees Celsius) recorded the maximum temperature at least five notches above normal.
The mercury at the Safdarjung observatory is expected to breach the 44-degree mark on Friday, it said.
Delhi may also see a partly cloudy sky, light rain and a dust storm with winds gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour on Friday and Sunday, which may provide temporary respite.
The city has recorded nine heatwave days in April, the highest since 11 such days witnessed in the month in 2010.
The IMD said the heatwave could lead to "moderate" health concerns for vulnerable people — infants, elderly people and those with chronic diseases.
“Hence, people of these regions should avoid heat exposure, wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose cotton clothes and cover the head with a piece of cloth, a hat or an umbrella," it said.
There is an "increased likelihood of heat-illness symptoms in people who are either exposed to the sun for a prolonged period or doing heavy work", an IMD advisory read.