Delhi finally got a dose of a hot and dry summer as the maximum temperature rose substantially across the city. While the official day temperature for Thursday was 43.7 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal, Palam airport recorded its highest maximum temperature since 1998 at 46 degrees Celsius.

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Delhi finally got a dose of a hot and dry summer as the maximum temperature rose substantially across the city. While the official day temperature for Thursday was 43.7 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal, Palam airport recorded its highest maximum temperature since 1998 at 46 degrees Celsius. (BCCL)

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Interestingly, the temperature difference was almost 12 degrees across the city. The lowest maximum temperature on Thursday was 34.2 degrees Celsius, recorded at Mungeshpur. (BCCL)

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However, relief is also in sight with a dust storm and thundershowers expected in Delhi between Saturday evening and Sunday. (BCCL)

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The Met office at IGI said the highest ever temperature in Palam, where record is being maintained since 1969, was 48.4 degrees Celsius on May 26, 1998. (BCCL)

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In Delhi, the record was set on May 29, 1944, when the maximum temperature at Safdarjung went up to 47.2 degrees Celsius. "The heatwave is coming from Rajasthan where temperatures are in the mid-40s. That is why the western parts of the city, including Palam, saw temperatures in the mid-40s," said a Met official. (BCCL)

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The officials, however, had no explanation for the huge difference in maximum temperatures across the city. While Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge, Ayanagar and Gurgaon recorded temperature between 43.2 degrees and 46 degrees Celsius, areas like DU, Jaffarpur, Mungeshpur, Pusa, Najafgarh and Narela saw the maximum temperatures ranging from 34.2 degrees to 36.5 degrees Celsius. "It could be a result of topography, green cover etc but the 12-degree temperature difference will have to be studied in depth," said an official. (BCCL)

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A fresh western disturbance is expected to affect the western Himalayan region from May 30 and the plains of northwest India from May 31. Sources said Friday evening could be slightly cloudy but proper cloud development is expected to start on Saturday. (BCCL)