Though temperatures in the Capital are constantly hovering over 45 degrees Celsius mark, it is not 'unusual' or 'worrisome'. Previous years' record clearly indicates that the national Capital has witnessed extreme temperatures above the 47 degrees mark. It is also evident from the current temperatures in the neighbouring cities where the mercury has constantly been exceeding the 46 and 47 degrees mark. Weatherman also said that rising temperature has nothing to do with the global warming.
As weather officials put it, it is not for the first time that the mercury has crossed 45 degrees Celsius in Delhi. Besides, the prolonged spell of dry heat wave which has been gripping the city since the past one week had also occurred in May 2002. According to them, Delhi had witnessed the maximum temperature of 47.2 degree Celsius in the year 1944. They, however, said it's after nearly 10 years that the maximum temperature in Delhi has constantly been crossing the 45 degrees mark.
Weather department officials said the maximum temperature on May 29, 1998 had gone up to 46.5 degrees Celsius whereas in the year 2002, the maximum temperature was recorded on May 19 at 46 degree Celsius. These temperatures were also the highest for the last two decades. last year, the maximum temperature touched the 45-degree mark on May 31. In May 2011, the maximum temperature was 44 degrees Celsius while in 2010, the mercury was constant at 45 degrees mark for five consecutive days.
"High temperature above normal is a routine phenomenon in the month of May and June. There is nothing unusual as generally at this time the insulation is more. It is myth that the temperature is rising because of global warming phenomenon. If the atmospheric conditions are favourable it may lead to heat wave conditions. In the past 10 years, the frequency of western disturbances has been relatively more causing thunderstorms in the hilly regions. This has a direct impact on the temperature in Delhi as due to thunderstorms and other activities in the western region the winds remained relatively cooler.
Thus, the wind blowing in Delhi in the past 10 years has helped in controlling the temperature and keeping the mercury below the 45 degrees Celsius mark," said Ravinder Vishan, Scientist Incharge of the Indian Metrological department (IMD).
Meanwhile, the maximum temperature on Friday remained at a simmering 45 degrees Celsius, proving little respite to the Delhiites from the blazing heat. The minimum temperature on Friday remained at 29.5 degrees Celsius.
The maximum humidity on Friday was 45 percent and the minimum humidity was 22 per cent. The skies largely remained clear.
According to Met Officials the chances of rain remained remote. However, the Met officials reiterated that the temperature is likely to fall further by nearly 2 degrees from May 26 and the heat wave is likely to abate from the coming week.