India, May 17 -- The mercury in Delhi may soar well above 40 degrees Celsius over the next week, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting a heatwave for the capital.

According to the met department, a prolonged spell of heatwave is expected starting Monday, with the maximum temperature expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius.

"The maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi are likely to be in the range of 43degC to 45degC and 25degC to 27degC, respectively," a press release by the IMD said in its forecast for Monday (May 18).

The weather department, however, did not immediately issue a colour-coded alert. It predicted strong surface winds, with speeds reaching 20-30 kmph occasionally gusting to 40 kmph during the day.

T...