Delhi records 42.4C temperature in first half of April, first time in 72 years

Several Indian states are witnessing blistering heatwave conditions with the maximum temperature nearing the 45-degree mark in some states. The IMD has issued an Orange alert for Delhi as the severe heatwave conditions are expected to continue.

According to the IMD, Delhi sizzled to 42.4 degree Celsius on Saturday, which has been hottest day in five years.

Previously, the national capital had recorded a maximum temperature of 43.2 degree Celsius on April 21, 2017. The highest maximum temperature for the month was recorded on April 29, 1941 at 45.6 degree Celsius.

The IMD in its warning said this is for the first time in 72 years that Delhi has recorded such a high temperature in the first half of April. On Friday, the maximum temperature of 41.6 degree Celsius was recorded at the Safdarjung monitoring station.

Similarly, neighbouring Gurugram witnessed the maximum temperature of 44.5 degree Celsius, which was 10 degrees above than average. The all-time high maximum temperature of 44.8 degrees Celsius was recorded on April 28, 1979 in Gurugram.

According to IMD, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odhisha, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are going to be the core heatwave zone in April and May.