Measured heat levels - India experiences intense heatwave reaching approximately 50 degrees.
New Delhi, the capital city of India, is suffering through a brutal heatwave, with temperatures hitting a staggering 52.9 degrees Celsius at one point on Wednesday. However, experts suspect this could be a recording error. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) labeled the temperature as an "anomaly" compared to readings from other local stations. They've launched an investigation to determine if a sensor or local factor could be to blame.
The previous hottest temperature on record for India was 51 degrees Celsius, experienced in the Rajasthan desert region back in 2016. And let's not forget that it's still incredibly hot elsewhere in Delhi - other weather stations showed temperatures between 45.2 to 49.1 degrees Celsius on that day alone.
Hot summers aren't new to India. In fact, scientific research suggests these will become even more frequent, longer, and more intense due to climate change.
Health warnings and water shortages
The IMD also issued a heat warning for the Delhi region, cautioning about the increased risk of heat-related health issues and strokes for people of all ages. Vulnerable individuals were urged to take extra care. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan is one of the high-profile individuals to have fallen victim to a heat stroke.
It's not just Delhi feeling the heat, though. Large parts of northern India are enduring severe heatwaves. And sadly, this isn't the only challenge plaguing India right now - water shortages have forced dozens of reservoirs to drop to just a fraction of their capacity. This, in turn, is causing issues with hydroelectric power generation. Just as demand for electricity surges with the need for cooling, especially among those who can afford ACs.
The Water Minister of Delhi, Atishi Marlena, has called on the population to play their part in conserving water. As reported by the "Times of India," Atishi urged the people to be more mindful about wasting water. Already, water supplies in some areas of Delhi are being reduced to once daily, compared to the previous twice-daily service. Instead, the saved water should go towards supporting regions that have had supply for only 15 to 20 minutes each day.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Pakistan, the situation is no better. Temperatures hit 53 degrees Celsius at Mohenjo Daro in the Sindh province on Sunday, while the highest officially recorded temperature on Earth reached an incredible 56.7 degrees Celsius back in 1913 at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley, USA.
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In the midst of this heatwave, New Delhi's Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, have been advised to take extra precautions due to the increased risk of heat-related health issues. The intense heatwave affecting New Delhi and other parts of northern India has also led to water shortages, prompting the Water Minister of Delhi, Atishi Marlena, to urge the population to conserve water.
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