With temperature mounting to 44.5°C and minimum temperature of 29.3°C settling at three notches above the season’s average, Delhi, beating the record of five years, witnessed the hottest day of the season on Saturday.
At least 10 people reportedly, have succumbed to strong heat in the past week, increasing the death toll to more than 35. Temperature hovering from 40°C-45°C this week has further increased the problems of Delhiites. According to the Meteorological Department (MeT), strong heatwave would continue to sail in and around Delhi in the coming days, giving no sign of relief to Delhi and NCR.
“The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 44°C,” said an official from MeT. Posing humidity at 32 per cent in the morning, brisk shower could be witnessed in some places of Delhi. The temperature would continue to fluctuate between 40°C-43°C and the minimum temperature would not fall below 29°C. The number of deaths due to heatwave this summer could increase as compared to the last year, said Sunil Aledia, Centre for Holistic Development (CHD).
He also added that the people who have died mostly are peddlers, daily wage earners and labourers. On being asked about the challenges that are faced due to the scorching heat, Shruti Rastogi, Delhi University (DU) aspirant and resident of Delhi, said, “It becomes difficult to step out in the sun as chances of stroke and dehydration are very high but admission process of DU starts only at this time, hence, nothing can be done.”