New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) It is official. The sudden rise in day temperature coupled with dusty winds that has hit the national capital over the past few days is a heat wave condition, the meteorological department declared Monday.

The maximum temperature touched a high of 41.7 degrees Celsius, six notches above what is normal for this time of the year, while the minimum temperature settled at 26.1 degrees Celsius, five degrees above normal.

‘The day temperature has increased five to six degrees above normal following hot westerly winds blowing over Delhi. We have declared heat wave condition here,’ a duty officer at the meteorological office told IANS.

People could be seen standing under the shade of trees or buildings to escape the scorching sun as most of the roads in the national capital wore a deserted look. People were seen buying water and cold drinks around offices and in markets to quaffe thirst and beat the heat.

‘In 2006 and 2007 we had the maximum temperature of 42 degrees Celsius. It was only in April 1942 when the mercury had climbed to 45.6 degrees Celsius in the national capital.’

‘In May and June, we expect the mercury to cross 45 degrees Celsius,’ the official added, ruling out the possibility of rains in the near future.

Residents of Delhi have been reeling under the summer heat from the last three days with day temperature rising several degrees above normal.

‘The heat wave is likely to prevail for two to three days and the temperature is likely to rise further,’ the official said.

The Met Office has forecast that the maximum temperature will cross 42 degrees Celsius Tuesday.

‘My skin was burning as I drove to my office around noon,’ said Aakash Aggarwal, a marketing executive.

Asha Sharma, a housewife said: ‘There was no respite from the heat despite putting on the water cooler and fan. I was sweating so much that I bathed five times but it wasn’t of much use.’