@52.9°C DELHI SMOULDERS, A DRIZZLE OF RELIEF FOLLOWS

IMD says investigating readings Safdarjung observatory records max 46.8°C, the highest in 79 yrs

- UITENDRA CHOUBEY 

FOR several days, Delhiites feltlike being through a blast furnace. On Wednesday, Mungeshpur in northwest part of the city delivered a frightening message of a temperature being recorded at 52.9° Celsius at 2.30pm-the highest-ever temperature recorded in the city. So unnerving was the figure that it sent the weather office back to its measurement centre.

The weather showed its other side in the evening: light rain, bringing the much-needed relief.

"The IMD (India Meteorological Department) is examining the data and sensors," said the department, adding that it was yet to confirm if it was actually the hottest day ever in the country.

Delhi's primary weather station, the Safdarjung observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 46.8° Celsius, the highest in 79 years, according to official data. Delhi's maximum was 46.7° Celsius on June 1945. The Wednesday's count was six notches above the season's average, IMD said.