Porni Banerjee | ২১ মে ২০২৪ ১৭ : ০২Porni Banerjee

As brutal heatwave grappled Delhi, the mercury reached 47.4 degrees Celsius on Monday, compelling the weather office to issue a ‘red alert’ for the next five days in the national capital.

With such extreme heatwave condition, the city recorded its highest temperature in the country yesterday. Following this, Delhi government directed closure of schools for summer vacations with immediate effect in view of searing heat.

Apart from Delhi, the blistering heat with temperatures above 45 is also dominating parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh, prompting a disruption in daily life activities, especially for those whose work demands them to stay mainly outdoors. The unbearable weather condition is also putting a strain on low-income households with poor access to water and cooling facilities.

Several places in Delhi, including Najafgarh recorded a high of 47.4 degrees Celsius on Monday. Whereas, Mungeshpur recorded 47.1 degrees, Aya Nagar 45.7 degrees, Pusa 46.1 degrees, Pitampura 46.6 degrees, and Palam 45.2 degrees.

Not only the city dwellers, but animals too to have bear the abnormally hot weather conditions. Authorities of Delhi National Zoological Park therefore amped up efforts for animal care by providing them water coolers, straw shelters, fruit ice balls, wall-hanging thermometers for temperature monitoring, and water showers to keep the animals cool.

In order to avoid any heat-related ailments, the weather department has suggested drinking sufficient water, drink ORS in time of dehydration and consume homemade drinks such as buttermilk, lassi, mango panna and lemon water to stay hydrated.