North India braces for intense heatwave, temp in Delhi may touch 45°C this week

TEMP MAY RISE FURTHER BY 3 TO 5 DEGREES CELSIUS

- AIMAN FATIMA

People cover themselves from the scorching heat during an afternoon heatwave, at Charminar, in Hyderabad, Telangana

(PTI)

Temperatures across large parts of India are expected to climb sharply over the coming days, with the India Meteorological Department warning that Delhi and surrounding regions could see maximums of 45 degrees Celsius between May 18 and May 20, as another heatwave cycle takes hold over the northern and central parts of the country.

The IMD confirmed on May 17 that both daytime and nighttime temperatures were already “markedly above normal” across several states on May 16. In parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat, readings were running more than five degrees Celsius above seasonal averages. The highest temperature recorded on May 16 was 46 degrees Celsius, logged at Amraoti and Wardha in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region.