Skip to content

Potential miscalculation leads to Indian heat record

Exceeding 52 degrees?

People in New Delhi are seeking shelter and cooling wherever they can.
People in New Delhi are seeking shelter and cooling wherever they can.

Potential miscalculation leads to Indian heat record

New Delhi's temperature hits a supposed extreme of 52.9°C, raising questions from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The concerning figure was displayed in the Mungeshpur suburb, but the IMD has revealed that it might be an anomaly. Investigations are underway to exclude potential sensor errors or local issues.

With New Delhi experiencing an intense heat wave, Wednesday's temperature of over 52°C might be linked to erroneous measurements. The Mungeshpur station in Delhi allegedly registered this value, which contrasts drastically with readings at other weather stations. Their readings ranged between 45.2°C and 49.1°C, showcasing a significant difference. IMD expresses concerns over a possible measurement error or local factor.

India's previous temperature record was 51 degrees Celsius, attained in 2016 at Phalodi, a desert region in the state of Rajasthan. Despite the excessive summer heat waves experienced in India, they are expected to worsen due to climate change, according to scientific evidence.

High-Risk Exposure to Heat

The IMD has issued a heat alert for Delhi, emphasizing that it poses "a very high risk of heat-related medical issues and heat strokes" for all age groups. Vulnerable individuals require additional care.

Rising anxiety among authorities as the 30-million-strong Delhi faces the possibility of a water shortage. Delhi's Water Minister, Atishi Marlena, urged citizens to adopt a water-saving approach to help alleviate the situation.

Due to the water scarcity, some parts of Delhi will temporarily receive a single daily water supply rather than the past twice-daily schedule. Atishi further added that this ration would aid areas lacking regular water supply for 15-20 minutes.

The Delhi heat wave is thought to have originated in Rajasthan, with temperatures over 50°C recorded on Tuesday. Pakistan's neighboring country has also had people dealing with deadly heat waves, with a 53-degree Celsius temperature noted in Mohenjo Daro, located in the Sindh province on Sunday.

Read also:

The international community is closely monitoring the extreme weather conditions in New Delhi, India, following the recorded heatwave temperature of 52.9°C. If the high temperature is confirmed, it would surpass India's previous record set in 2016.

Despite New Delhi's ongoing heatwave, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heat alert, warning of high risks of heat-related medical issues and heat strokes for all age groups.

Source:

Comments

Latest