On May 29, 2024, Delhi experienced a heatwave unlike any other. In Mungeshpur, the temperature reached a record-breaking 52.3 degrees Celsius. The previous high temperature was 49.9 degrees Celsius, recorded just yesterday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed this scary rise, calling it the hottest temperature in the capital’s history.
Severe Heatwave Across Delhi-NCR
The Delhi-NCR area, which includes Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, has been experiencing a very hot spell. In Mungeshpur, it was 49.9 degrees Celsius; in Najafgarh, it was 49.8 degrees Celsius; and in Narela, it was 49.9 degrees Celsius. This extreme heatwave has been breaking all records and causing stress in the area.
Meteorological Department’s Predictions
Even though it’s very hot, the Met Department says that the Delhi-NCR region will get some relief from the heat with light rain or drizzle. There is hope that the oppressive heat will ease with the forecast of light rain and winds of 20 to 30 km per hour. Kharkhoda, Jhajjar, Sohana, Palwal, Nuh, Aurangabad, Hodal in Haryana, and Jattari and Khair in Uttar Pradesh will likely see this change.
Investigating the Temperature Spike
The IMD is currently checking the temperature sensor’s accuracy at the Mungeshpur automatic weather station. It was 52.3 degrees Celsius in that area, much warmer than other parts of Delhi, where it was between 45.2 and 49.1 degrees Celsius. IMD Director General M. Mohapatra said this strange event might have been caused by things in the area, and a group of experts is now looking at the sensor and data.
Impact on Daily Life
The extreme heat has made daily life difficult and put a huge strain on the power grid. Delhi’s power needs hit a new high of 8,302 megawatts, beating the old high set just a few days earlier. People have been using air conditioning a lot to deal with the heat, which is why power use has increased.
Health Warnings and Precautions
The IMD has issued a red alert for parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. This alert warns that people of all ages are very likely to get heat illness or heat stroke. Weak people, like the elderly, children, and people who already have health problems, should be very careful.
Causes of the Heatwave
Delhi is getting hotter because of hot winds from Rajasthan that first hit places on the city’s edges, like Mungeshpur, Narela, and Najafgarh. Research shows that heatwaves are happening more often, for longer periods, and with more force because of climate change.
Future Forecasts
Based on data from Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), the current trend of high temperatures will likely decrease. In south Rajasthan, the cool winds from the Arabian Sea have already caused the temperature to drop. This trend will likely continue northwards, gradually easing the heat in Delhi and the surrounding areas starting May 30.
Conclusion
Delhi’s heatwave is the hottest on record, with temperatures above 52 degrees Celsius. While the IMD checks to see if these readings are correct, people in the area are told to take the necessary steps to stay safe in the extreme heat. With light rain and gradually cooler temperatures expected, things will improve in the next few days.
