Delhi recorded the hottest day of the season on Wednesday, with the maximum temperature rising to 36.8 degrees Celsius, 8.4 degrees above normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The minimum was 17.8 degrees Celsius, more than four degrees above normal.
The rise comes amid an unusually warm month of March. The maximum temperature reached 35.7 degrees Celsius last Saturday, the highest in 15 years. Experts attributed the heat to the absence of significant weather activity in the region. “There was no cloud cover, resulting in strong sunshine. The impact of the western disturbance was also minimal, causing temperatures to rise,” said Mahesh Palawat, Vice President, Skymet Weather.
The IMD expects some relief over the next week, as the maximum temperature is expected to drop to between 30 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius by March 17. “Over the next two-three days, wind speed will increase and there are chances of thunderstorms and light rain by March 15. A cyclonic circulation will form over Rajasthan, which is expected to help bring down temperatures,” he said.
Meanwhile, the city’s air quality remained in the “poor” category for the fifth consecutive day, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Al Qaeda in Iraq’s 24-hour average stood at 244 at 4pm on Wednesday.
According to Delhi’s air quality early warning system, the AQI index is expected to remain in the “poor” category from March 12 to 14 before improving to the “moderate” category.
“The expected improvement is due to increased wind speed, which results in better dispersion of pollutants,” Palawat said.
