BHOPAL: Thursday became the hottest-ever day in March in the history of the city with the maximum temperature touching the 40.8°C mark, which was 5°C above normal. At 21.7°C, the minimum temperature was 3°C above normal.
The earlier record of highest maximum temperature in Bhopal was 40.7°C, which was recorded on March 29, 1996. In the last 11 years, the maximum March temperature in the city has never exceeded 40°C. The unusually hot March has made people uncomfortable, with the administration ordering schools to close before noon. ACs and desert coolers, which are normally run in April, are running full blast in most offices and homes. The forecast that the 2017 summer may be the hottest has made people make a beeline to shops selling coolers and ACs.
March is the month of transition from winter to summer with a steady rise in temperature, which generally reaches up to 36°C by the end of the month. According to weather department, the city will continue to sizzle over the next couple of days. The weatherman has forecast that the maximum temperature on Friday may cross 41°C and the minimum will be around 22°C.
Khajuraho was the hottest in the state with temperature touching 42.7°C Among other cities Indore was 40.4°C, Gwalior 41.2°C and Jabalpur 41.2°C. The department has also issued warning of severe heat wave and dust storm in next 24 hours at isolated places in Gwalior, Datia, Tikamgarh, Ratlam, Khandwa, Khargone and Damoh districts. Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Sagar, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghgat, Panna, Rajgarh, Ujjain, Indore may also experience heat wave and dust storms.
