Delhi experienced a severe heatwave on Monday as it recorded the highest temperature – 40.1 degree C – in March since 1945, news agency PTI reported, quoting the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

The Safdarjung Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 40.1 degrees Celsius, which was eight notches more than normal, said Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the IMD’s regional forecasting centre.

“It is the hottest day in March since March 31, 1945, when the national capital recorded a maximum of 40.5 degrees Celsius,” he said.

The weather stations at Najafgarh, Narela, Pitampura and Pusa recorded maximums of 41.8 degrees Celsius, 41.7 degrees Celsius, 41.6 degrees Celsius, and 41.5 degrees Celsius, the IMD said.

The city’s minimum temperature settled at 20.6 degrees Celsius, three notches more than normal.

For the plains, a “heatwave” is declared when the maximum temperature is more than 40 degrees Celsius, and at least 4.5 notches above normal. A “severe” heatwave is declared if departure from normal temperature is more than 6.5 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD.