Maharashtra's Vidarbha region experiences hottest day

NAGPUR: Maharashtra's Vidarbha region experienced the hottest day of the summer today, a meteorological department official said.

The region comprises cities like Nagpur, Akola, and Amravati.

The highest temperature was recorded in Akola at 44.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Nagpur city which recorded 44.7 degrees Celsius, which is three degrees above normal, the regional meteorological department official told here today.

He said that today's temperature was the highest recorded in the month of May.

At 2.30 PM, the mercury touched 44.2 degrees Celsius and after two hours it went up to 44.7 degrees Celsius, he said, adding that this year, the temperature is expected go beyond 45 degrees Celsius.

However, cloudy weather might also ensure that temperatures may stay lower, he said.

According to meteorological department data, Nagpur has recorded temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius thrice, during the last ten years, he said.

The highest maximum temperature was 47.9 degrees Celsius, which was recorded on May 23, 2013, he said.

In the same year, Nagpur witnessed 24 days, when temperatures of more than 44 degrees Celsius were recorded, he said.