By IANS
New Delhi : North India sweated and reeled under unusually high temperatures – and even higher humidity levels – as the mercury hovered around 45 degrees Celsius Monday in a prolonged heat wave.
The highest temperature recorded Monday was 46 degrees Celsius in the Hissar region of Haryana. Rajasthan too continued to burn under the blazing summer sun with Jaipur recording a maximum of 44 degrees Celsius – four degrees above normal.
Other Rajasthan towns that sweltered were: Sri Ganganagar (46.3 degrees Celsius) Churu (46.1C), Bikaner (43C) and Ajmer (42C).
In Madhya Pradesh the intense heat wave conditions showed no signs of easing off with Gwalior recording a high of 44.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Rewa (44.5C), Satna (43.8C) and Jabalpur (42.8C).
At least nine people have died due to heat stroke and dehydration in the state. Six people died in Gwalior alone on Sunday.
In Uttar Pradesh, the capital city of Lucknow was cooler, recording a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.
The national capital recorded a maximum of 41.1 degrees – lower than the 44C recorded Sunday. But this offered no respite to hapless residents as the humidity level jumped from 50 percent Sunday to 73 percent Monday.
"It's so humid," said an exasperated commuter. "The heat plus the humidity is nearly killing us. It's the worst summer I have ever experienced in Delhi."
"Early this morning it was actually a little pleasant but as the day advanced so did the humidity," said Savita Kumar, a housewife.
A spokesman for the Indian Meteorological Department said, "The humidity level is much higher than yesterday in Delhi. Yesterday it was 50 percent but today it is 73 percent. Hence the discomfort level is so high."
The minimum temperature recorded in Delhi was 31.5 degrees Celsius, which is two degrees above normal.