New Delhi, May 22 (IANS): The national capital is already in the grip of the heat wave and top scientists believe that it is an indirect impact of Super Cyclone Amphan.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted a 'heat wave' for Friday, a day after mercury in some parts of the city crosses 44 degrees Celsius.

Heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature is 45 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days and severe heat wave is when the mercury touches the 47 degrees Celsius mark for two days on the trot.

Talking to IANS, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said: "After the cyclone, there is rise in temperature in north and adjoining central India. When the cyclone is in Bay of Bengal, the wind blows northwestward towards the ocean."

"At this time, the hot wind blows from Rajasthan, to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi and sends the maximum summer temperature soaring," he said.

The weather agency has also warned that heatwave conditions would prevail over Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh for the next five days.

Mahesh Palawat, Vice president of Skymet Weather, a private forecasting agency, said dry and hot winds will sweep across the country till May 27.

Not just the rest of May but even June could be very hot in many parts of the country, he warned.

"Temperature will be high till June 15, but the heat wave condition is likely to persist till May 27 pursuant to which there is a possibility of western disturbance, which will lower the temperature a notch," he said.

Navdeep Dahiya, founder of Live Weather of India, also asserted: "Heat is all set to build in north and central India early next week with stations recording upto 45 degrees Celsius. Core heatwave zones are expected to record 45 degrees Celsius."