Heat index rises, humidity sustains

New Delhi: The city saw another hot and humid day, with the heat index, or “feels-like” temperature, touching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Friday at 2.30 pm. The air temperature is likely to remain between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius over the next few days, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).On Friday, city’s base station Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 39.1 degree Celsius, normal of the season, against 39.5 degree Celsius a day earlier. At 40 degree Celsius, Ridge was the hottest area of the capital.Minimum temperature was recorded at 27 degree Celsius, a notch below normal against 27.9 degree Celsius a day earlier.“No large change in maximum temperature during next 24 hours, fall by 2-3 degrees Celsius subsequent three days, there after rise by about 1 degree Celsius.

Fall in minimum temperature by about 1 degree Celsius during next 24 hours, rise by about 2 degree Celsius during subsequent 24 hours and no large change thereafter,” stated IMD.The Met issued a yellow alert for rain and thunderstorms in the city on Friday. However, no major weather activity was noticed until late evening. IMD however expects rain till June 21.On Saturday and Sunday, the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 37-39 degree Celsius respectively.Meanwhile, the air quality index (AQI), on a scale of 0 to 500 was 142 against 157 a day earlier.