Delhi’s Scorching Heat: Potential Record-Breaking Temperature of 126.1 Degrees
Manashimaya
As Delhi grapples with an unprecedented heat wave, a temperature reading from the city may have shattered national records. The preliminary reading of 52.9 degrees Celsius, or 126.1 degrees Fahrenheit, reported in Mungeshpur, a neighbourhood in Delhi, could mark the highest temperature ever recorded in India. While officials from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) are still verifying the data, this potential record-breaking temperature underscores the severity of the current heat wave.
Delhi, India’s bustling capital territory, spans approximately 600 square miles and is home to nearly 30 million people. On the day of the record reading, other parts of Delhi recorded temperatures between 45.2 degrees and 49.1 degrees Celsius, translating to roughly 113 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The stark difference between these readings and the one from Mungeshpur has led officials to consider the possibility of a sensor error. Nonetheless, if the 126.1 degrees Fahrenheit reading is confirmed, it would officially become the highest temperature ever registered in India.
The Indian Meteorological Department issued a “red” weather alert for Delhi and several northern states, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. The red alert, indicating “heat wave to severe heat wave” conditions, advises residents to avoid heat exposure, stay hydrated, and take necessary precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses. This alert came after at least three deaths were reported due to the extreme weather conditions.
The red alert serves as a crucial warning to the public, highlighting the “very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke” for people of all ages, emphasizing vulnerable populations. The IMD’s spokesperson noted in the daily weather bulletin that while the excessive heat persists, it is expected to start decreasing by Thursday.
Alarmingly high temperatures have also been recorded outside of Delhi. A substation in Rajasthan, renowned for its extreme temperatures, registered 50.5 degrees Celsius, or about 123 degrees Fahrenheit. Similarly, the temperature reached 50.3 degrees Celsius, or roughly 122.5 degrees Fahrenheit, at Sirsa, a city located further north. The severe weather plaguing northern India serves as a sobering reminder of the problems brought on by climate change.
Heat waves in India typically occur from March to June, with peak temperatures in May. However, the recent heat waves have been particularly severe. In April, hundreds of people across Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Gaza, succumbed to the extreme heat. In India, the heat wave caused triple-digit temperatures in various regions, with the eastern city of Bhagora nearing 115 degrees Fahrenheit. This scorching weather has damaged crops and forced premature school closures.
One major factor increasing the severity of these heat waves is climate change. According to a study by World Weather Attribution, the current heat wave was more severe than it would have been in the absence of climate change. The Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai’s Raghu Murtugudde, a climate scientist, proposed that the exceptional conditions were caused by a combination of El Niño, global warming, and seasonal cycles. This combination, he said, is “basically adding steroids to the weather.”
The focus of the IMD’s investigation on Mungeshpur’s record-breaking temperature of 126.1 degrees Fahrenheit is still on minimizing the effects of extremely high temperatures. It is crucial to ensure public safety, particularly for more vulnerable communities. It is disheartening to be reminded of the pressing need to address climate change and its far-reaching implications in light of this possible new record.
In conclusion, the temperature in Delhi, which is an astounding 126.1 degrees Fahrenheit, may surpass the highest recorded temperature in India. This development emphasizes how vital it is to take climate action and be ready for the rising global temperatures.
