india

Updated: Apr 24, 2019 01:12 IST

The day temperature in the city on Tuesday touched 41.2 degrees Celsius for the first time this year, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Tuesday’s maximum temperature saw a rise of 2.5 degrees from Monday’s maximum temperature, and was around three degrees above the normal for this time of the year.

The maximum temperature is expected to rise further to 42 degrees Celsius on Thursday, IMD scientists predicted.

“Wednesday is likely to see a partly cloudy sky towards the evening. There is a possibility of thunder and lightning in the National Capital Region on Thursday,” an IMD spokesperson said, adding that the thunder activity could be a result of a light western disturbance.

The temperature, however, would remain nearly the same on Thursday, the IMD scientist added.

Meanwhile, the minimum temperature in the city on Tuesday rose to 22 degrees Celsius from 21 degrees Celsius on Monday. The minimum temperature, however, was a degree below the normal for this time of the year.

IMD scientists said the minimum temperature too is likely to rise further to 24 degrees Celsius after Wednesday. Strong surface winds have been predicted from Friday during the daytime.

The city’s air quality index (AQI) reading was 236 (poor) on Wednesday, as recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board’s AQI monitor at Vikas Sadan in Sector 11. The level of PM 2.5 recorded on Wednesday was an average of 227 ug/m3. Wednesday’s AQI was worse than Tuesday’s AQI of 225 (poor).

According to air quality experts, the rise in the AQI reading was a result of re-suspension of dust coming from construction activities and road dust due to faster wind speed because of rising temperatures. The wind speed recorded by the Palam Observatory was 15 kmph at 5.30pm.