After a gap of 10 years, Delhi on Thursday, witnessed the hottest day of May with the temperature soaring to 45.7 degree Celsius. The maximum temperature on Thursday was nearly 6 to 7 degrees above normal.
According to Met department officials, the temperature is expected to fluctuate between 45 to 46 degrees on May 24 and 25. A slight respite from the sweltering heat is, however, expected on May 26, owing to change in the direction of wind. This may lead to a dip in the temperature by a much-welcome 2-3 degrees.
As the temperature remains high, the city's power demand also plunged to this season's highest at 5,055 MW. However, complaints of power cuts continued in Dwarka, Mayur Vihar — I, Rohini and Vasant Kunj. Parts of West Delhi faced the brunt of a grid failure of 220 KV, which rendered them without electricity for hours.
In areas like Vikaspuri, Tilak Nagar and Patel Nagar, power cuts occurred on a rotational basis until 5 in the morning. "At a record breaking 45.7 degree Celsius, Delhi witnessed the highest temperature for the month of May since 2003. The major reason for this heat wave is the absence of any Western Disturbances (WD). There is no sight of any thunderstorm in the nearby areas as well. Apart from this, strong North-Westerly winds and subsidence of air have also causes this prolonged spell of heat wave," said a senior official of the Met department.
While the city recorded a minimum temperature of 31.4 degree Celsius, the maximum and minimum humidity, on the other hand, settled at 41 and 18 per cent respectively. The sky remained clear and the breeze hot and dry. Explaining the cause for the predicted dip in temperature on May 26, the Met department said, "The temperature on May 26 may reduce to 43 degree Celsius. An approaching Western Disturbance is likely to break the anti-cyclone over the region. This will moderate the intensity of hot air advection, which will further reduce the temperature," said the official.