The heatwave intensified across India on Friday, with mercury soaring to the season's highest in states like Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, where the temperature neared 50 degrees Celsius in Sri Ganganagar.
In the national capital, the India Meteorological Department issued the highest "red-colour" warning as the mercury rose to the season's high of 44.8 degrees Celsius.
Private agency Skymet Weather showed the maximum temperature touched the 47-degree mark in the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri in Delhi.
The heatwave will persist until June 2, when easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal will reach Delhi via Uttar Pradesh, bringing dust storm and thunder storm, IMD said.
In Sri Ganganagar, the maximum temperature broke the 75-year record for the month of May and touched 49.6 degrees Celsius. In Churu in the desert state, the mercury hovered around 48.5 degrees Celsius followed by Bikaner (46.6C).
It was the warmest day of the season in Himachal Pradesh, IMD said.
The temperature in the state's Una district touched 44.7 degrees Celsius.
Shimla Met centre director Manmohan Singh told PTI, "We consider the three months March, April and May as summer season and May 31 has been recorded as the warmest day in the hill state."
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