Delhi Swelters Under Record 52.3°C Heat, Breaking All-Time High

Delhi Swelters Under Record 52.3°C Heat, Breaking All-Time High

Temperatures in India’s capital surged to a record-breaking 52.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This extreme heat was recorded in the Delhi suburb of Mungeshpur, marking the first time the temperature has breached the 50°C threshold in the city’s history.

The weather station in Mungeshpur recorded 52.3 degrees Celsius temperature, while Narela recorded 47.9 degrees Celsius at 2.30pm. On Tuesday, the weather station in the northwest Delhi locality recorded 49.9 degrees Celsius.

An IMD official told PTI, this is the highest-ever maximum temperature recorded so far in Delhi. IMD regional head Kuldeep Srivastava said the city’s outskirts are the first areas to be hit by hot winds from Rajasthan, worsening the already severe weather.

Mahesh Palawat, the vice president of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather, explained that in open areas with vacant land, there is increased radiation, making these regions exceptionally hot. When wind blows from the west, it affects these areas first, causing temperatures to rise rapidly.

The IMD’s forecast predicts “heat wave to severe heat wave conditions at most places over Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, at many places over Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and at isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.” Warm night conditions are expected to persist in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh, providing little relief from the intense temperatures.

The IMD issued heatwave warnings, advising people to stay indoors during peak hours and stay hydrated. New Delhi authorities have also warned of the risk of water shortages as the capital swelters in headache-inducing heat, cutting supplies to some areas.

Residents in Northwest and Central India can expect some respite as the prevailing heat wave conditions are forecasted to gradually reduce from May 30. The IMD has predicted a gradual fall in maximum temperatures by 3-4°C over the next 3-4 days in these regions. Although the severe conditions will ease, heat wave conditions may persist in isolated areas until June 1.

With the blistering heatwave gripping Delhi, residents are urged to take precautions and stay safe during this extreme weather event.