Delhi braces for extreme heat, may touch 46 degrees, yellow alert issued

On the precipice of another punishing heatwave spell, Delhi is predicted to see a jump of two to three degrees Celsius in the maximum temperature today.

The Safdarjung Observatory - Delhi's base weather station - had recorded a maximum temperature of 40.8 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

It is expected to breach the 42-degree mark today and soar to 44 degrees Celsius by Thursday, according to the India Meteorological Department.

The maximum temperature may even leap to 46 degrees Celsius in parts of Delhi, a Met department official said.

Delhi had recorded a maximum temperature of 43.2 degrees Celsius on April 21, 2017. 

The all-time high maximum temperature for the month was 45.6 degrees Celsius on April 29, 1941.

Northwest India has been recording higher than normal temperatures since March last week, with weather experts attributing it to absence of active Western Disturbances over north India and any major system over south India.