Gurgaon sizzles at 40 degrees Celsius, rain unlikely before two days

GURGAON: The maximum temperature breached the 40 degree mark on Saturday for the first time this year, making it the hottest day this season. With mostly sunny skies, the maximum temperature was 40.6 degrees Celsius, four notches above the season’s normal, from 39.1 degrees Celsius on Friday.
Last year, the city’s highest maximum temperature was 45.9 degrees Celsius (April 30). In 2021, it was 44.3 degrees Celsius on April 29.
The minimum temperature was 20 degrees Celsius, slightly down from 21.2 degrees the previous day. It was two notches above the normal. Though a western disturbance is influencing the western Himalayan region, its impact is limited to the hills. Another western disturbance, however, is approaching on April 17, which will bring some rainfall and thunderstorm activity over parts of Haryana on April 18 and 19, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
“Due to the prevailing dry and clear weather conditions, we are witnessing a steady rise in mercury across the region. No significant change is expected in the next two days, with maximum temperature likely to rise by 2 degrees Celsius,” an IMD official said.
Partly cloudy skies are likely on Sunday and Monday, with the minimum temperature expected to range between 21-22 degrees Celsius, while the maximum will hover around 40 degrees.
The city’s air quality index (AQI) deteriorated to ‘poor’ on Saturday at 208, compared to 193 (satisfactory) the previous day.
In Delhi, the maximum temperature on Saturday soared further, sizzling parts of the city in the year's first isolated heatwave. The maximum temperature at Safdarjung, the city’s base station, was recorded at 40.5 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal, against 39.4 degrees Celsius a day earlier. The minimum temperature was recorded at 20 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal, against 20.4 degrees a day earlier. Areas suffering from heatwave included Pitampura, with a maximum temperature of 42.1 degrees Celsius, Najafgarh at 42.6 degrees Celsius, PUSA at 41.4 degrees.