Heatwave in parts of Delhi, mercury crosses 45 degrees Celsius-mark

New Delhi, May 22

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A heatwave swept parts of the national capital on Friday, with the maximum temperature crossing the 45 degrees Celsius-mark in Palam area, the India Meteorological Department said.

The Safdarjung Observatory, which provides representative figures for the city, recorded a high of 43.8 degrees Celsius—four notches above the normal.

The weather stations at Lodhi Road and Ayanagar recorded their respective maximum temperatures at 44.4 degrees Celsius and 44.7 degrees Celsius.

Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the regional forecasting center of the IMD, said a heatwave is likely to continue over Delhi-NCR on weekend due to hot and dry northwesterly winds prevailing over northwest India.

In large areas, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature is 45 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days and a severe heatwave is when the mercury touches the 47 degrees Celsius-mark for two days on the trot.

In small areas, like Delhi, a heatwave is declared if the temperature soars to 45 degrees Celsius even for a day, according to the IMD. PTI