India, March 6 -- In one of the warmest beginnings to March in recent years, Delhi recorded its highest average minimum temperature since 2023 - 16 degrees Celsius - within just five days of the month, as unusually warm nights and high daytime temperatures pushed mercury well above seasonal normal. The last time the average minimum temperature for this period was higher was in 2023, when it stood at 16.2 degrees Celsius.

Thursday also marked the hottest day of the season so far, with the maximum temperature rising to 34.3 degrees Celsius, a sharp 6.9 notches above normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The minimum temperature was recorded at 18.2 degrees Celsius, 4.8 notches above the season's average. Explaining...