Delhi Records India’s Highest Temperature
On Wednesday, Delhi experienced an unprecedented high, with temperatures soaring to 52.9 degrees Celsius at the Mungeshpur weather station. This marks the highest temperature ever recorded in India, surpassing the previous record held by Rajasthan’s Phalodi weather station.
Temperature Records Across Delhi
- Mungeshpur Weather Station: 52.9 degrees Celsius
- Safdarjung Observatory: 46.8 degrees Celsius
Possible Causes
Officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) suggested that the record-breaking temperature could be due to either a sensor error or local factors, such as the urban heat island effect, reduced green cover, and increased pollution levels.
Relief and Consequences
Despite the extreme heat, Delhi received some respite with light rain and gusty winds later in the day. However, the scorching temperatures triggered a drastic surge in power demand, which hit an unprecedented high of 8,302 megawatts (MW) on Wednesday afternoon. This is a stark reminder of the severity of the situation, as it’s the first time in Delhi’s history that power demand has exceeded 8,300 MW. Power companies had estimated a peak demand of 8,200 MW for this summer.
Water Conservation Measures
In a bid to combat the ongoing water crisis, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has taken a stern stance. They announced a hefty Rs 2,000 fine for anyone found wasting water. This measure underscores the critical need for water conservation in these challenging times.
Previous Day’s Temperature
On Tuesday, another weather station in northwest Delhi recorded a temperature of 49.9 degrees Celsius.
Stay safe and stay hydrated during this extreme weather. Remember, prolonged exposure to such high temperatures can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and other health issues.