People jump in water in Delhi in this file picture
The mercury continued to soar in the national capital as it hit 42 degrees Celsius today, registering the hottest day the city has experienced in July in two years.
As monsoon continues to elude the national capital, the day temperature has been constantly soaring in the last couple of days.
The maximum temperature was recorded at 41.3 degrees Celsius on Thursday while on Wednesday it had settled at 40.5 degrees Celsius.
"All these temperatures are highest for the month of July in 2013-14. Last year, the mercury only soared as high as 39.2 degrees Celsius while in 2012 it had touched 43.5 degrees Celsius," a Meteorological department official said.
"Usually, July witnesses monsoon and the current upward trend in temperature is mainly due to elusive rains," the official said.
While the Safdarjung observatory recorded a maximum of 42 degrees Celsius, considered the official reading for the city, seven notches above normal, the Palam observatory registered 44 degrees Celsius, and the Ridge area and Ayanagar observatories recorded 41.7 and 43.4 degrees Celsius respectively.
The minimum temperature settled at 30.1 degrees Celsius which was three points above normal.
Extreme temperatures along with high humidity have only added to the agony of the city residents. According to Metereological department, the humidity levels remained between 26 and 74 per cent during the day.
The monsoon had arrived in Delhi on July 3, but since then the city has seen only scanty rainfall in certain areas. According to the Met department, monsoon is likely to revive in the city from Monday.
The weather office has predicted partly cloudy sky in the city with the possibility of thundery conditions occurring in some parts. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to settle around 41 and 30 degrees Celsius respectively.