MP's Khargone hottest in India, 36.9 degrees in Delhi

Khargone city in Madhya Pradesh was the hottest place in the country on Friday with the mercury rising to 44.5 degrees Celsius while Delhi recorded 36.9 degrees Celsius, almost five notches above the season's average -- the reason being warmer air being brought by westerly winds.

On Thursday, Barmer in Rajasthan was tagged as the hottest place in the country with the day temperature being 42.2 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature in the national capital had touched 35.5 degrees Celsius.

However, there could be light rain and thunderstorm in the northern parts for a day or two before the temperatures start rising again.

Meanwhile, heat wave conditions are "very likely" in some parts of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh in the next two days while the maximum temperatures are likely to rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius over parts of eastern India, said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

Mahesh Palawat, the Director of private weather agency Skymet, said in Delhi summer ideally starts by the second week of March but it started late this year due to rain and snowfall in the Himalayas.

"The northerly winds from Kashmir had kept temperature in Delhi and surrounding areas low. However, the temperature soared rapidly with winds starting from west in last few days," said Palawat.

"Now, there will be rain and thunderstorm for a day or two due to western disturbance and formation of cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan. Subsequently, temperature will start rising again."

The IMD said thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds and lightning is expected at isolated places in Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal and Sikkim.

In the first week of April, the maximum temperatures will increase by 2-3 degrees Celsius in northwest and east India while there will be no significant change in the maximum temperatures in the remaining parts of the country.

It said the temperature will hover around 38-40 degrees Celsius over the plains of northwest India and central and north peninsular parts of the country.

--IANS

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