As a relentless heatwave grips northern India, numerous cities have experienced temperatures soaring above 50 degrees Celsius, breaking records and straining the endurance of millions.
In Delhi, the national capital, a weather station briefly reported a staggering 52.9 degrees Celsius, sending shockwaves through newsrooms nationwide. This reading, however, has yet to be confirmed as official. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials indicated that the temperature at Mungeshpur might have resulted from “sensor error or localized factors,” as it was almost 4 degrees higher than other stations, with the next highest being 49.1 degrees Celsius at Najafgarh. The IMD has dispatched a team to Mungeshpur to investigate.
In Churu, Rajasthan, a temperature of 50.5 degrees Celsius was recorded on Tuesday, marking the highest of the season so far and highlighting the “unprecedented” heatwave conditions across northern India.
Phalodi, also in Rajasthan, saw temperatures soar to 50 degrees Celsius last week. This extreme heat challenged millions, including voters in the sixth phase of the ongoing general elections. According to the IMD, this is the highest temperature recorded in the country since June 1, 2019, when Churu registered a scorching 50.8 degrees Celsius.
In Sirsa, Haryana, the maximum temperature reached 50.3 degrees Celsius on Tuesday amid the heatwave. In Haryana, temperatures exceeded 44 degrees Celsius at 18 stations during peak hours, straining the electrical infrastructure.