Delhi is grappling with an unprecedented heatwave, as temperatures soar to a historic high of 49.9 degrees Celsius (121.8 Fahrenheit).
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued alarming reports on Tuesday, noting that Narela and Mungeshpur suburbs bore the brunt of this scorching heat, with temperatures peaking a staggering nine degrees above normal.
With forecasts predicting similar conditions on Wednesday, a red alert has been sounded, urging the city’s over 30 million inhabitants to take precautionary measures.
This heatwave surpasses the previous record set in May 2022, when parts of Delhi experienced temperatures of 49.2 degrees Celsius (120.5 Fahrenheit), according to Indian media.
While India is no stranger to high summer temperatures, studies on climate change indicate a worrying trend of heatwaves becoming more intense, frequent, and prolonged.
In response to the crisis, authorities in New Delhi are raising concerns about potential water shortages aggravated by the intense heat. To conserve resources, measures have been implemented to reduce water supply in certain areas from twice to once daily. Water Minister Atishi Marlena explained, “To address the problem of water scarcity, we have reduced water supply from twice a day to once a day in many areas. The saved water will be rationed and supplied to water-deficient areas where supply lasts only 15 to 20 minutes a day.”
The IMD has underscored the health hazards posed by the heatwave, especially for vulnerable demographics such as infants, the elderly, and individuals with chronic ailments.
The soaring temperatures are attributed to hot winds originating from Rajasthan, which registered the country’s highest temperature on Tuesday at 50.5 degrees Celsius. Rajasthan’s Phalodi holds the national record of 51 degrees Celsius, set in 2016.
Meanwhile, parts of West Bengal and Mizoram are grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Remal, which brought heavy rains and winds, resulting in over 38 fatalities since Sunday. Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department has described Cyclone Remal as one of the longest-lasting in its history, with its severity linked to climate change.
