India, May 20 -- Delhi is likely to get hotter still this week, with temperatures expected to touch 46degC on Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday, as it issued orange alerts warning of heatwave like conditions for six straight days.

The forecast came even as the maximum temperature at the Safdarjung station - the base weather station for Delhi - soared to 45.1degC, the highest yet this year and 4.7degC above normal for this time of the year.

The oppressive heat also brought with it uncharacteristically high pollution levels, with Delhi's air quality index (AQI) touching 208 at 4pm, the highest since April 28, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The surge prompted the Commi...