Isolated places in Delhi are expected to experience heatwave conditions on Saturday after the maximum temperature soared to 39.4 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal a day earlier. It is the highest day temperature recorded so far this season, reported news agency IANS.
In view of the rising temperature the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'yellow' alert (be aware) for Saturday.
Sports Complex near Akshardham was the hottest station at 41.9 degrees Celsius, while the day maximum in Pitampura and Faridabad setted at 41.4 and 41.3 degrees Celsius, respectively on Friday.
An IMD official told Times Of India, “The day temperature has been rising due to dry westerly winds and clear skies.”
"Najafgarh and Ridge recorded 40.8 degrees Celsius and Pusa saw 40.3 degrees Celsius. Lodhi Road, Ayanagar, and Palam reported 39.4, 39.1, and 39 degrees Celsius, respectively," according to IMD.
The maximum temperature at the Safdarjung Observatory, which is the city’s base station, is expected to settle around 41 degrees Celsius over the course of the next few days. It is likely to touch 42-43 degrees Celsius at other stations, according to the MeT Department,
The IMD has advised people to take precautions and stay hydrated during the hot weather.
Based on the temperature predictions, the Delhi government on Wednesday, issued guidelines on school preparedness for ongoing summers. According to the guidelines all schools must avoid assemblies during the afternoon shift. It further stated that students must be given water breaks during classes and ensure availability of drinking water.
In order to avoid direct sunlight, students should be sensitised to cover their heads using an umbrella, hat, cap, towel and other traditional headgear.
In case there is any student who falls ill from the heat, the school has to make sure the student is taken to a medical facility or hospital.
On Thursday the IMD stated that parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar may experience heatwave conditions during the next three to four days. Earlier, the Met Office had forecasted above-normal maximum temperatures for most of the country from April to June, with the exception of the northwest and peninsular areas, news agency PTI reported.