Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 38.4 degrees Celsius on Monday, slightly below the seasonal average, even as residents continued to experience hot and humid weather conditions.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the national capital is expected to witness partly cloudy skies during the day, with the possibility of thunderstorm activity and light rainfall in some areas later in the evening or during the night. Strong surface winds are also likely during the day.

The city’s air quality, however, deteriorated and slipped into the ‘poor’ category, raising concerns over deteriorating atmospheric conditions. Authorities have advised vulnerable groups, including children, elderly people and those with respiratory ailments, to limit prolonged outdoor exposure.

Weather officials said temperatures in Delhi remained marginally lower than normal, but high humidity levels continued to make conditions uncomfortable for residents. The “feels like” temperature remained significantly higher due to moisture in the air.

The IMD has forecast partly cloudy conditions over the next few days, with chances of very light to light rainfall and thunderstorms in parts of Delhi-NCR. Gusty winds ranging between 20 and 30 kmph, reaching up to 40 kmph at times, are also expected.

A major fire broke out at a building housing a coaching centre in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday, triggering panic among students and local residents.There were fears that some students were trapped inside the premises, while some were seen jumping from the first floor in an attempt to escape the flames.

Fire department teams and rescue personnel rushed to the spot soon after receiving information about the blaze. Multiple fire tenders were deployed to bring the fire under control, while rescue operations continued amid fears that more people could be trapped inside the building.

Rescue operation underway amid panic

Visuals from the scene showed thick smoke billowing out of the building as students and staff tried to flee. Eyewitnesses said several students jumped from the first floor to save themselves as the fire spread rapidly through the structure.

Firefighters later managed to bring the blaze under control after extensive efforts. Authorities are yet to determine the exact cause of the blaze, and an investigation is expected to be launched.

Senior administrative and police officials reached the site to supervise rescue efforts. More details are awaited as emergency teams continue search and evacuation operations.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday strongly reprimanded party workers after a section of the audience raised slogans in support of DK Shivakumar during a party programme in Bengaluru. Kharge also warned that disciplinary action could be taken against those responsible for disrupting the event.

The incident took place during the ‘Sankalpa Samavesha’ programme, where party leaders had gathered for an organisational event. According to reports, some workers repeatedly chanted “DK-DK” slogans, prompting Kharge to intervene and ask them to maintain discipline.

Visibly upset by the sloganeering, Kharge reminded workers that the gathering was meant for the party and not for promoting individual leaders.

“This is not an individual’s programme, it is a party programme,” Kharge said while stressing that Congress functions as an organisation rather than around personalities.

The veteran leader also expressed displeasure over the disruption, questioning why a few people should dominate proceedings when many others had attended the programme. Referring to his long political career, Kharge said the party had contributed significantly to the rise of many leaders and emphasised the need to uphold organisational discipline.

Warning the workers against similar behaviour in the future, Kharge said footage from the event would be examined and action would be taken if necessary.

“Discipline is always necessary for the party. Whoever is shouting here, there will be footage. I will take disciplinary action after reviewing the footage,” he said.

The episode once again highlighted the importance the Congress leadership places on party discipline during organisational events in Karnataka.