Summer sizzle beckons: Day mercury to soar 3-5°C across India

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday warned that day temperatures across northwest India are likely to surge by 3-5°C during the next seven days, signalling the onset of extreme heat conditions in several regions.

- Jayashree Nandi

Delhi recorded a peak of 36.4°C on Wednesday, 2.4°C above normal and the maximum across the country was 42.8°C, recorded in Surendranagar of Gujarat.

In the national capital, temperatures are forecast to climb to 39-40°C in the coming days, with hot dry winds predicted to sweep the region.

"No weather activity is expected over Delhi and northwest India. The thunderstorm activity is limited to peninsular and parts of central India," said Mahesh Palawat, vice president of climate and meteorology at Skymet Weather.

"Dry, westerly winds are expected to blow over this region. Moreover, wind speed is also expected to be low and solar insolation will be high. Together, these factors will drive a gradual increase in temperatures across the entire northwestern region."