New Delhi, India, faced record-breaking high temperatures for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, May 29th. The mercury soared to 52.3 degrees Celsius (126.14 degrees Fahrenheit), while an unprecedented heatwave continued to scorch some areas in the northwest. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued red heatwave alerts for Delhi, Rajasthan, and other states.
This is the highest-level warning issued by the Indian meteorological agency, indicating that the extreme heat poses a serious threat to public health and safety.
Over the past few days, Delhi has been enduring severe heatwave conditions. The weather bureau had earlier warned that most parts of the capital would experience extreme heat.
Meteorological officials stated that the abnormally high summer temperatures have brought about a situation ranging from “heatwave to severe heatwave.”
When India’s maximum temperature exceeds the normal range by 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius, India declares heatwave conditions; when the maximum temperature exceeds the normal range by 6.5 degrees Celsius or more, India declares “severe heatwave” conditions.
At 2:30 pm local time on Wednesday, the weather station in the Mungeshpur area of Delhi recorded a high temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius, setting a new record for the highest temperature in India.
The high temperatures also contributed to increased electricity usage. According to reports from NDTV, officials stated that the capital’s power demand had surpassed 8,300 megawatts for the first time in history, exceeding the power distribution company’s prediction by 100 megawatts. A water crisis is looming, adding to the predicament of Delhi residents.
On Wednesday, free cold drinks were distributed in the Narela area of Delhi. The previous day, the area also faced heat attacks, with temperatures soaring to 49.9 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).
The local government cited water scarcity as a reason for restricting water supply and imposed a fine of 2,000 rupees (24 US dollars) for activities wasting water, such as car washing.
According to the Asian News International (ANI), a public school in Bihar in eastern India had students fainting. A video showed a girl lying on a bench in the classroom, while a teacher sprinkled water on her face and fanned her with a book.
“Electrolyte imbalance leads to fainting, vomiting, and dizziness,” said Dr. Rajnikanth Kumar, who treated the students.
Reports indicated that on Tuesday, three people died from heatstroke in Jaipur, Rajasthan in western India, bringing the city’s death toll to four, with at least 13 fatalities in the state.
The rising temperatures prompted the Indian election authorities to make additional arrangements during the Delhi elections last week, such as deploying nursing staff at polling stations.
The Indian Meteorological Department predicts that high temperatures will continue in some parts of India in the coming days, with several states already on high alert.
【This article contains some information referenced from Reuters.】