The India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that the maximum temperature of 52.9°C recorded by Delhi’s Mungeshpur Automatic Weather Station might be due to a sensor error or a local factor, which the IMD will investigate. Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju addressed the issue on X, stating that the reported temperatures were not official. “Temperature of 52.3°C in Delhi is very unlikely. Our senior officials in IMD have been asked to verify the news report. The official position will be stated soon,” Rijiju wrote.
It is not official yet. Temperature of 52.3°C in Delhi is very unlikely. Our senior officials in IMD have been asked to verify the news report. The official position will be stated soon. https://t.co/uaZMfRac1q
— Kiren Rijiju (मोदी का परिवार) (@KirenRijiju) May 29, 2024
This record occurred during a period of intense heat in the national capital, with temperatures staying above 44°C for the past few days. However, a brief respite came in the afternoon with rainfall in parts of Delhi.
IMD Director General M Mahapatra noted that the temperature appeared abnormal compared to readings from all other stations. A team has been dispatched to the AWS to verify the data.
The temperature recorded at the Safdarjung center, considered the official temperature of Delhi, was 46.8°C. AWSs are automatic weather stations that automatically observe and transmit data. On Wednesday, no other AWS, including those at Pragati Maidan, IGNOU, Ayanagar, Pitampura, and Najafgarh, reported temperatures above 50°C.
“The maximum temperature over Delhi NCR varied from 45.2° to 49.1°C in different parts of the city, Mungeshpur reported 52.9°C as an outlier compared to other stations. It could be due to error in the sensor or the local factor. IMD is examining the data and sensors,” the IMD clarified in a press statement.
“Maximum temperature of today, i.e. 29th May, 2024 has fallen over Delhi at many places compared to yesterday. It has rained at many places in Delhi in the afternoon resulting in further fall of temperature. Heat wave conditions will reduce during next 2 – 3 days due to gradual fall in temperature in association with approaching western disturbance, rainfall/thunderstorm and southwesterly wind blowing from Arabian Sea to northwest India,” it said making a general observation about Delhi’s temperature.
#Mungesgpur observatory in #Delhi recorded 52.3 degrees at 14:39 hours today on May 29. The exposure of the sensor of the #AWS may not be correct. The benchmark temperature is of Safdarjung for Delhi. #DelhiHeaywave #DelhiRains @SkymetWeather @JATINSKYMET
— Mahesh Palawat (@Mpalawat) May 29, 2024
Mahesh Palawat from Skymet remarked that AWS observations may not always be accurate, emphasizing that Safdarjung serves as the benchmark for Delhi’s temperature.
According to Delhi’s primary weather station, the Safdarjung observatory, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 46.8°C, marking the highest in 79 years. Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that Delhi’s maximum temperature was 46.7 degrees Celsius in June 1945.