Delhi sees season's hottest day, heat to rise

New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) Delhi reeled under a scorching sun Thursday with the maximum temperature recorded at 43.1 degrees Celsius -- three notches above average and the highest so far during the season. The mercury is expected to further rise to up to 45 degrees Friday.

As sweltering heat swept across the capital Thursday, even usually busy roads remained deserted.

"It was sweltering heat today because of which I could not step out of my house. I decided to stay home and not to go to office," 24-year-old Ranjana Singh told IANS.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 27.3 degrees, a notch above average, while the humidity wavered between a high and low of 36 and 9 percent.

The sky will be clear and sunny Friday.

"The maximum and minimum temperature are likely to hover around 45 and 28 degrees, respectively," said an India Meteorological Department official.