India, April 26 -- Delhi recorded its first citywide heatwave of the season on Saturday, with the base station at Safdarjung logging a maximum of 42.8degC - 5.1 degrees above normal - as four of five key weather stations simultaneously satisfied the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) dual criteria for a formal declaration.

The reading is the highest April maximum at Safdarjung in four years. In April 2022, the station had recorded 43.5degC across late April.

IMD classifies a heatwave when the maximum temperature exceeds 40degC and is at least 4.5degC above normal, or when it touches 45degC regardless of departure.

A citywide declaration for Delhi requires at least two stations to meet the criteria, including Safdarjung as the base...