Hottest day of season in Delhi, no relief Friday

Delhi reeled under intense heat Thursday as the maximum temperature settled four notches above the average at 44.7 degrees Celsius, making it the season's hottest day yet. No respite is expected Friday, the met office said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Friday will see clear skies and the searing heat will continue to wreak havoc on Delhiites with the maximum temperature likely to hover around 45 degrees Celsius.

The minimum is expected to settle around 28 degrees Celsius.

The residents of the city, especially those who ventured out, had a tough time dealing with the scorching sun accompanied by hot winds.

Traffic was scarce during the day and two-wheeler riders in particular suffered the most.

With their faces and arms covered, many of them could be seen taking a break under the shade of a tree or a flyover and almost every roadside kiosk selling cold drinks, lemonades or ice-creams witnessed a steady flow of customers.

"I had covered my face with a wet handkerchief but still it felt as if the sunrays were burning my skin. The heat was unbearable," said 32-year-old Manoj Tripathi, a sales executive working in east Delhi's Mayur Vihar who commutes on a scooter.

Meanwhile, Thursday morning was sunny and the minimum temperature settled at 27.7 degrees Celsius, average for this time of the season.

Wednesday was hot and sunny as the maximum temperature settled three notches above the season's average at 43.4 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature settled two notches below the season's average at 26 degrees Celsius.