Mercury jumps to 43.4°C as fresh heatwave predicted to grip Delhi
Hindustan TimesThe maximum temperature in Delhi inched up for the second straight day on Monday, even as a heatwave ensnared some neighbourhoods, with the weather department forecasting that the mercury will surge to 45°C in a couple of days. Safdarjung, Delhi’s base weather station, clocked a maximum temperature of 43.4°C, 3.5 degrees above normal, up from 42.5°C on Sunday and 41.1°C on Saturday. Monday’s dry heat meant Delhi’s Heat Index or “real-feel” was not significantly higher than the actual maximum on the day. A wet-bulb temperature of 32°C or higher makes it difficult for even fit and young people to work outdoors for long and at a wet-bulb temperature of 35°C — the maximum threshold — humans can no longer regulate body temperatures, leading to heat strokes and potential collapse.