India’s capital Delhi soared to unprecedented heat levels, registering a scorching maximum temperature of 49.9°C, marking an all-time high for the capital city.
Delhi on Tuesday, May 28, recorded its all-time high maximum temperature as the mercury in India’s capital, touched 49.9 degrees Celsius. Several areas, like Mungeshpur, Najafgarh and Narela, have recorded temperatures of 49.9 degrees Celsius, 49.8 degrees Celsius, and 49.9 degrees Celsius, respectively, facing severe heatwave conditions.
The maximum temperature in Pitampura and Pusa was recorded at 48.5 degrees Celsius, while Jafarpur recorded 48.6 degrees Celsius. Other areas, such as Safdarjung, Palam, CHO, Ridge and Ayanagar, also recorded maximum temperatures between 45 and 48 degrees Celsius.
The highest-ever temperature reading in Delhi over the last 100 years is 49.2 degrees Celsius, recorded on May 15–16, 2022.
The record temperature comes even as a ‘red’ alert warning has been issued for Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, indicating a very high likelihood of heat illness and heat stroke for all age groups.
Northwest and central India are reeling under a severe heatwave, with Rajasthan’s Phalodi recording the highest temperature in India since June 1, 2019, hitting a scorching 50 degrees Celsius on Saturday.
Earlier in May, the heatwave broke temperature records across the country, with even hilly regions such as Assam, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh recording their highest-ever temperatures.
The scorching heatwave is also putting immense strain on power grids, raising India’s power demand to 239.96 gigawatts, the highest this season, as households and businesses crank up air conditioners and coolers.