New Delhi: Mercury continued to rise with the maximum temperature touching 34.4 degrees Celsius, seven degrees above normal, on Friday. It surpassed the season’s high of 34.3 degrees Celsius reported on Thursday. The day temperature is expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius by Tuesday. India meteorological department’s data shows that in March last year, the mercury crossed the 34-degree mark was in the second week. In March 2024, it surpassed this mark in the last week of the month. Met officials said consistent clear skies and prolonged dry conditions have led the mercury to rise. IMD has predicted that the maximum temperatures are likely to hover around 33-35 degrees Celsius from Saturday to Monday. It may stay between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius from Tuesday to Thursday. “No large change in maximum temperatures during the next four days, and it may slightly rise by 1-2 degrees Celsius thereafter. They are likely to be markedly above normal (5.1 degrees Celsius or more) during the next seven days,” said an IMD official. Even nights are recording temperatures above normal. The minimum temperature on Friday was recorded at 17 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal. It dipped slightly from Thursday’s minimum of 18.2 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality continued to remain in the ‘moderate’ category with an Air Quality Index of 172. It is likely to deteriorate to the ‘poor’ on Saturday but may again turn moderate on Sunday and Monday, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi.
