At 43.2 degrees Celsius, Indore sees hottest day of the season so far

Indore: The city recorded the hottest day of the season on Monday with the maximum temperature touching 43.2 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal.

With the second week of May beginning under an intense heatwave-like spell, residents struggled to cope with blazing sunshine and hot winds sweeping across the city.

The heat has intensified steadily over the past three days. The maximum temperature, which stood at 41.2 degrees Celsius on Friday, climbed to 42 degrees on Saturday. Though Sunday recorded a marginal dip at 41.9 degrees Celsius, Monday saw the mercury surge further, crossing the 43 degrees Celsius mark for the first time this season.

The impact of the severe heat was visible across the city as roads and marketplaces wore a deserted look during afternoon hours. The period between 12 noon and 4 pm remained the harshest, with intense sunlight making commuting difficult for two-wheeler riders, pedestrians and outdoor workers.

Night temperature has also started rising, reducing relief after sunset. The minimum temperature recorded on Monday was 24.7 degrees Celsius. Met officials said active weather systems over the region are contributing to the sharp rise in temperature. A western disturbance in upper atmospheric levels, cyclonic circulations over Rajasthan and southwest Madhya Pradesh, and an active trough line stretching across central and eastern India are influencing weather conditions.

Meteorologist Arun Sharma said heatwave conditions are likely to prevail in western Madhya Pradesh on May 12 and 13. The Meteorological Department has also predicted a gradual rise of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures over the next four days.

Historical weather data shows that Indore’s highest recorded maximum temperature was 44.5 degrees Celsius in 2016.