Record-Breaking Heatwave Hits Northern India: Delhi Swelters at 52.3°C

People in northern India are currently enduring an intense and prolonged heatwave, with the temperature in India’s capital reaching a record-breaking high of 52.3 degrees Celsius (126.1 Fahrenheit), as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD has cited ‘severe heatwave conditions’, with the scorching temperature recorded in the New Delhi suburb of Mungeshpur on a particularly hot Wednesday afternoon, surpassing the previous national high in the desert region of Rajasthan by over a full degree Celsius.

Rajasthan’s Phalodi town previously held the all-time heat record, registering 51C (124F) in 2016. India classifies temperatures above 45C (113 F) as a heatwave.

The extremity of the heat has compelled authorities to close schools in several cities and heightened the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for those engaged in outdoor labor. This challenging weather period coincides with a significant six-week general election, posing additional health hazards as voters queue for extended periods under the blazing sun. The final day of voting is scheduled for Saturday.

The soaring temperatures are not only impacting humans but also taking a toll on the animal populace, leaving them vulnerable to dehydration and heat-related ailments. Sitaram, an animal conservationist based in Bikaner, Rajasthan, expressed concerns about endangered chinkaras, also known as Indian gazelles, facing a scarcity of water.

The months of April, May, and June typically experience high temperatures across India before the arrival of the monsoon rains, which bring relief in the form of cooler weather. However, the intensified heatwave is evolving into a pressing public health issue in India, exacerbated by frequent water shortages in recent years.

In a country where tens of millions lack access to running water, the authorities in New Delhi have issued warnings regarding potential water scarcities as the capital city grapples with oppressive heat – leading to rationing of water supplies in certain regions.