The sun is in no mood to spare the city this season. After having broken records of maximum temperature right since March and April, the city witnessed its hottest May day after eight years with the maximum temperature reaching 45.4 degrees Celsius. No respite is likely in the near future.
According to the weatherman, in May 2002, the highest temperature had reached the 46 degrees Celsius mark and since then the temperatures have generally been lower for this month.
In 2006, it had gone up to 44.5 degrees Celsius. Monday’s maximum temperature was four degrees above normal. The minimum temperature too rose to an uncomfortable 28.2 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring cities of Gurgaon and the Hindon area in Ghaziabad sizzled at 46.4 degrees Celsius and 45.9 degrees Celsius.
Incidentally, even as the city reeled under a scorching sun, there were traces of rainfall too at some places. The persistently hot weather conditions are result of severe heat wave conditions prevailing in Rajasthan, many parts of Haryana, some parts of Punjab and also western Uttar Pradesh.
The maximum and minimum temperature is expected to hover around 44 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the city experienced peak power demand of 4,216 MW.