This Article is From Apr 29, 2009

Delhi sweats at 43.5 C; record in 50 years

Delhi sweats at 43.5 C; record in 50 years
New Delhi:

Mercury on Wednesday soared upwards in the national capital, touching a fifty-year high of 43.5 degrees Celsius in the month of April, forcing most people in the city to remain indoors.

Wednesday's maximum was five degrees above normal at this time of the year. The mercury rose 1.3 degrees from Tuesday's 42.2 deg Celsius, the MeT Department said.

This is the first time in 50 years that the mercury soared up to touch 43.5 degree Celsius in April. In 1958, the maximum had climbed up to 43.8 degrees Celsius in April.

The all-time record for maximum temperature in this month was recorded on April 29, 1941 when the mercury touched 45.6 degrees Celsius.

The minimum was recorded at 24.4 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal, the MeT Department said.

The Weatherman predicted no relief for residents from the scorching sun on Thursday and said the mercury is likely to remain at 43 degrees and minimum rising to 27 degrees Celsius.

"There is no thunder shower activity and dry winds from deserts are blowing into the city," B P Yadav, Director of India Meteorological Department, told PTI.

The Weatherman has also warned of heat wave conditions in Delhi in the coming days.

The previous highest in the season was recorded yesterday when the mercury touched 42.2 degrees Celsius.

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