New Delhi, July 17 -- Thursday was the hottest July day in Delhi in two years, as high humidity and continued lack of rain caused the heat index to rise further, according to the Met department. The maximum temperature stood at 39.2degC - the highest in July since July 30, 2024, when it reached 39.3degC. This is 4degC above the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) normal of 35.2degC for the July 15 to July 19 period. On Thursday, the IMD issued a yellow alert for hot and humid conditions at isolated places on Friday and Saturday, and a yellow alert for rain on Saturday. According to the IMD, the city is likely to continue experiencing hot, sultry days until Saturday, when very light to light rain and strong winds is forecast at isolated places during the forenoon or afternoon. The weather department has forecast the maximum temperature to remain between 38degC and 40degC on Friday before dipping to 35degC to 37degC on Saturday due to the expected rain. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature on Thursday was 30.2degC - 3degC higher than the IMD's normal for this time of 27.2degC, and the highest recorded in July since July 31, 2024, when it was 30.4degC. The heat index - also known as "real-feel temperature" - also remained high throughout Thursday, peaking at 48degC at 2:30 pm, against an actual temperature of 38.2degC. The heat index indicates what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with air temperature. The higher the humidity, the higher the heat index. Experts stated that the current heat is due to dry winds and a lack of weather activity. "There has been no significant rain for the past few days, and dry westerly winds have been prevailing. Additionally, southwestern winds from the Arabian sea are blowing at the lower level, increasing humidity," said Mahesh Palawat, vice president of Skymet Weather....