At 38°C, warmest March day in 7 yrs

NEW DELHI:T he mercury rose to as high as 22.6°C on Tuesday morning and further rose to 38°C during the course of the day, making it the warmest day of the season this year, and the warmest March day since 2010 so far.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said that this month will see more record breaking days, as the temperature is set to rise further. On Wednesday, the temperatures are expected to fluctuate between 23°C and 39°C, and the current forecast expects the high mercury readings to persist through April 1.

Weathermen blame the warm winds for the rise in temperature. “It is unusually warm in Delhi. The wind pattern is such that it supports rising temperature,” said a Regional Weather Forecasting Centre official.

The minimum temperature has not risen over 22°C during March in the national capital since 2011, though it has grazed it on occasion in 2011 and 2013. In 2010, the minimum temperature had risen to 23.1°C on March 27.

Similarly, the maximum temperature in the city has not touched 38°C in March, since 2010. On March 22, 2010, the temperature had risen to 39.2°C. Since 2010, the mercury has not risen above 37°C during March.

“I had gone to Sangam Vihar on Tuesday, the heat was almost unbearable. It never got this warm during March in previous years,” said Nikhat Parveen, a resident of Azad Market area.

After April 1, the mercury levels will drop a little, owing to weather phenomena, but will continue to hover over normal ranges. By April 3, the maximum temperature will dock at 37°C.