Heatwave back, city sizzles at 44.4ºC
After a brief respite from the excessive heat in the months of March and April, the capital witnessed its hottest day of the season so far with the maximum temperature being recorded at 44.4 degrees Celsius. It was also
the hottest May day since 2006. On Wednesday, the temperature had risen up to 41.8 degrees Celsius. On March 7, 2006, the temperature had touched the 45 degrees Celsius mark.
The peak power demand too remained above the 4,000 MW mark. Meanwhile, there was bad news for residents of several areas in south and southwest Delhi as the shutdown of the Badarpur Thermal Power Station (BTPS) was extended till May 24. It may lead to shortage in supply and powercuts in these areas.
According to the weatherman, the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in the capital were 44.4 degrees Celsius and 25.9 degrees Celsius, respectively. The maximum temperature was four degrees above normal.
According to the meteorological department, the rise in the temperature was due to the hot westerlies coming in from Rajasthan.
“There is no other system to keep these winds at bay. Hence the temperatures have risen,” said the official.
The weatherman has predicted no respite from heat on Friday with the temperature expected to touch the 45 degrees Celsius mark. However, there are chances of dust or thunderstorm lashing some parts of the city and the sky remaining partly cloudy. Though there may be isolated incidents of rain in some cities of the northern region, the weather is not likely to undergo a major change in the next few days, said the weatherman.
Meanwhile, the shut down of the BTPS has been extended till May 24. It was closed on May 3 for the purpose of increasing the height of the high tension transmission lines to allow passage for Metro rail. As a result, areas like Masjid Moth, Okhla, Mehrauli, Tughlakabad, Nehru Place, Andheria Bagh, JNU, Munirka, Vasant Vihar, Vasant Kunj, East of Kailash and Balaji may continue to face power problems.
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