Delhi to get warmer over the next two days

NEW DELHI: It might be time to get your air-conditioners serviced, if you have not already, as Delhi braces for blistering heat in days ahead. After recording above normal temperatures on Monday, when the mercury rose to 36.7 degree Celsius, and never dropped below 21.8 degree Celsius, Delhiites need to prepare for more over the coming week.

On Tuesday, the temperature is expected to rise as high as 37 degree Celsius during the course of the day, and not drop below 23 degrees Celsius in the morning, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials.

The minimum expected temperature is higher than temperatures recorded in March over the years. Last year, the minimum temperature never rose above 20 degree Celsius in March. Since 2011, the minimum temperature hasn’t been over 22 degrees.

The heat may persist with mercury likely to rise as high as 38 degrees by Wednesday.

However, officials at the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC) said this should not be considered ‘abnormal’ and it tends to get warmer in Delhi when you near March end.

“Till 20 March, we had below normal temperatures in the city. Then it started rising. It is just that the wind patterns have been conducive for warmer conditions,” said an RWFC official.

Residents in the city seemed less than convinced, with many lamenting about the warmer conditions. “.. I don’t think it is used to get this warm in March,” said Arshya Ghazi, a resident of Lajpat Nagar.

Things are, however, expected to improve slightly in early April with light showers.