Heatwave continues in India, Delhi Safdarjung Observatory record 43.5°C

The massive heat wave that hit India and Pakistan is still prevailing in large parts of the region. Delhi's Safdarjung Observatory recorded the maximum temperature of 43.5°C for the second time this week on Saturday. The same reading was recorded on Thursday as well. It is five notches above the normal temperature.

All stations in Delhi except for Lodhi Road and Mayur Vihar recorded maximum temperatures of more than 44.0°C with Mungeshpur at 46.0°C and Sports Complex near Akshardham recording 47.1°C. Safdarjung observatory has records from 1901 and its maximum temperature is considered more relevant that the relatively new Sports Complex observatory.

Heatwave conditions prevailed in several parts of Delhi, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, west Rajasthan, Vidarbha, Punjab, isolated pockets in Haryana, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and north Madhya Pradesh.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a partly cloudy sky and thunder on Sunday. Maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be around 43°C and 25°C respectively. The forecast also stated that heatwave conditions will continue over northwest & central India till May 2. The temperature will lower in east India from Sunday onwards.

Dr M Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, said on Saturday that May is usually the hottest month and temperatures in north India may pass the 50-degree mark. The average maximum temperature over northwest and central India in April is the highest with 35.90 degrees Celsius and 37.78 degrees Celsius respectively in more than 120 years, said the top scientist to ANI.

Some parts of India like the southern districts of West Bengal received moderate rain on Saturday. Northeast India is expecting widespread rainfall with lightning and gusty wind in the next five days.