Delhi continues to sizzle, IMD predicts heatwave in Northwest, Central India till next week

New Delhi: Heatwave continued its grip on Delhi and its adjoining areas as the maximum temperature here is expected to hover around 44 degrees Celsius amid an extreme dry spate, as per India Meteorological Department on Friday.

The relative humidity in the city was recorded at 28 per cent at 8.30 am, the weather office said, adding, "The heatwave will continue despite strong gusty winds. Sunday may see some respite from heatwaves, but the mercury will soar again from Monday.”

The minimum temperature was recorded two notches above normal at 25.8 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperatures through the weekdays will remain at 29 mostly, as per Skymet data.

Around 12 pm the relative humidity dropped to 13 per cent.

There will be slight dip in mercury on May 5 and 6, the private weather office data showed, but it will once more rise till 43 degrees by May 8, when the minimum temperature will add to discomfort as it may also hover above 30 degrees.

On Thursday, the maximum temperature in the national capital was recorded at 43.5 degree Celsius, the second warmest April in the past 52 years and the warmest day of the month since 2010.

The IMD has said heatwave conditions over Northwest and Central India till next week but may abate thereafter.

While rain and thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds will likely to continue over Northeast India, still not touched by the unprecedented heat that is taking a toll on the rest of the country.

For the plains, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius and at least 4.5 notches above normal. (UNI)