Delhi, May 29: Temperatures in India’s capital surged to a record-breaking 52.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This extreme heat was recorded in the Delhi suburb of Mungeshpur, marking the first time the temperature has breached the 50°C threshold in the city’s history.

The weather station in Mungeshpur recorded 52.3 degrees Celsius temperature, while Narela recorded 47.9 degrees Celsius at 2.30 pm.

The IMD’s forecast paints a grim picture for the coming days, predicting “heat wave to severe heat wave conditions at most places over Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, at many places over Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and at isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.”

Warm night conditions are expected to persist in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh, providing little relief from the intense temperatures.

Residents in Northwest and Central India can expect some respite as the prevailing heat wave conditions are forecasted to gradually reduce from May 30. The IMD has predicted a gradual fall in maximum temperatures by 3-4°C over the next 3-4 days in these regions.

A reduction in the intensity of the heat wave is expected to begin tomorrow in Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Although the severe conditions will ease, heat wave conditions may persist in isolated areas until June 1. (Hindustan Times)