New Delhi, July 4 -- The Capital suffered a sweltering day on Thursday, recording a "real feel" temperature of 48.9 degrees Celsius (degC) at 2.30pm and a peak wet-bulb temperature of 29.57degC, recorded at 5.30pm. While the maximum temperature on the day was 36.9degC, a degree below normal, high humidity-between 59% and 89%-made it an uncomfortable day for the city, belying the onset of monsoon.

To be sure, a wet-bulb reading above 32degC or high can significantly impair the human body's ability to cool itself, while 35degC is considered the theoretical limit for survival.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast similar weather conditions to persist on Friday, predicting increasing rain activity from Saturday. A yellow a...