Mercury soars, Gurgaon braces for heatwave till Friday

Gurgaon: The city recorded a minimum temperature of 20.4°C on Monday, a notch above the seasonal average and slightly below the previous day's 19.8°C. The daytime temperature reached 35.7°C, the same as the season's normal. It was 34.9°C on Sunday. The maximum temperature is expected to rise by three degrees After April 18, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The Met department issued a yellow (to look out for) alert for heatwave from April 16-18, with forecasts of thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 30-40kmph on April 18.
"Gurgaon may witness a partly cloudy sky with thunderstorms on April 18. The maximum temperature may rise by three degrees thereafter," an IMD official said.
IMD declares a heatwave when the maximum temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius and is at least 4.5 notches above normal.
The combination of high temperatures and dry conditions is expected to persist. Local authorities have advised people to stay hydrated, remain indoors during peak afternoon hours, and use protective measures such as sunscreen and hats if they need to venture outside.