Though February rarely sees the temperature go beyond 32-33°C, this time it soared to 35-36°C last week. The deputy director-general of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dr AB Mazumdar, said the city normally breaches the 40°C mark only in April.

“With such high temperatures witnessed in January-February, we are set to see mercury levels rise to unusual levels in March,” he said.

Director (weather central, IMD) Medha Khole attributed the trend to the anti-cyclonic conditions prevailing over central India leading to clear sky conditions, thus causing a rise in temperature. “Summer has set in early this year and the city will see higher temperatures in the coming weeks,” she said.