Several cities across the country have breached the 45-degree mark. Mostly in Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha, North Rajasthan, Haryana parts of Delhi, Jharkhand, and parts of Madhya Pradesh. Banda in Southwest Uttar Pradesh recorded an all-time high temperature of 47.4 degrees. Sports Complex in Delhi is recorded 46.4 degrees.
For Delhi, this is the second hottest April since 1951 after 2010. Prolonged dry spell associated with heat wave to severe heat wave has led to power crisis in many states across the country. Worst affected states are Punjab, Haryana, Jammu Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
On April 29, the peak power demand for the country was 207.111 GW. Earlier record was broken on Tuesday with peak demand of 201.066 of GW. However, there is a silver lining as pre monsoon activities are expected to commence over parts of Northwest and East India from May 2. These pre-monsoon thunderstorm, dust storm and mild thundershower may drop the temperature. There are chances of abatement of heat wave from some parts of the country.