By IANS
New Delhi : The sweltering June heat saw roads in the national capital deserted Sunday with people keeping largely indoors while the weatherman said it could get hotter than the 44.9 degrees Celsius recorded a day earlier.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature recorded Sunday till noon was 41.4 degree Celsius, while the minimum was 34 degrees.
It's weekend but the roads couldn't have worn a more deserted look. The scorching heat seems to be testing tolerance levels in the city.
The unlucky few who were out could be seen squinting in the sun and fanning themselves desperately. The heat has also started taking a toll on people's health.
Arpita Goswami, a student who has come to Delhi from Assam for her admission at Delhi University, is eager to go back home. "I can't tolerate this kind of heat. My father has had a heat stroke. No amount of water helps, you constantly feel restless. I think I will go back home and come again after two weeks," she said.
After recording the highest temperature of the year Saturday, at 44.9 degrees, the IMD said the mercury could touch 46 degrees Sunday.
The Delhi Metro is one of the few places that offers respite to harried commuters. "The Metro is such a boon. As soon as I approach the Metro station I feel relieved. The next 20 minutes spent travelling in it help me cool down," said Hamish John, a commuter.
"I wish we had the Metro right up till our offices!" said another commuter. "The moment I step out of it, I get depressed because the heat hits your face."
No amount of liquid seems to help in the heat either.
And from what met officials say, there is not much reason to hope for something better. "There will be clear skies with a heat wave which will take the temperature beyond 45 degrees," said an official.
"We generally see a spell of heat wave conditions in June or early July but this time the first part of June has been getting hotter and hotter. The spell may continue till the middle of next week," he said.