After a slide for the last few days, Mercury is likely to rise again over and around Delhi in the next 5-7days. Maximum temperature had earlier reached 38.3°C (8°C above normal) on 20thMarch and slipped down to 34.6°C in the next 48hr. Except for the 1st week, when the temperatures remained normal, mercury has been rising thereafter mostly staying above the assigned limits. Persistently, the maximum temperature of >/= 30°C has been recorded since 07thMarch. Also, it has been breaching 35°C mark for the last 8days, as reported by the base observatory at Safdarjung.
Such mercury levels are expected mostly during April. Mean monthly temperature for March is 29.6°C and occasionally reach 34°C during fag end of the month. Heat has picked up rather early this season, and the temperatures are soaring above 35°C over most parts of Delhi. Earlier, it had nearly touched 40°C at Najafgarh on 20thMarch. During the past 24hr, Safdarjung, Palam and Ayanagar exceeded 35°C, Meteorological office Lodhi Road, Narela and Najafgarh crossed 36°C and Pitampura topped the list with 37.2°C. These readings are about 5-6°C above the normal.
Heat factor is expected to rise during the remaining days of the month. Strong surface winds of the order of 25-35kmh will mitigate the heat to provide marginal comfort. However, warm and dry conditions will last till the end of month. Winds are likely to slow down from 29thMar onward and the mercury is expected to shoot thereafter. Absence of clouds and dry weather conditions will accumulate the heat over these days. Maximum temperature is likely to reach 38°C at many places. Pitampura and Najafgarh, the hottest pockets of Delhi may breach 40°C during the last 2-3 days of the month