Today, Delhi experienced its hottest day ever, with temperatures reaching a scorching 52.3 degrees Celsius. This is the highest temperature ever recorded in India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported this extreme temperature at 2:30 PM in Delhi's Mungeshpur area.
source: istock
Evening Rain Brings Relief
Later in the evening, rain provided much-needed relief to the Delhi NCR region from the intense heat. Despite the rain, a severe heatwave alert remains in place for Delhi and several other Indian states due to the consistently high temperatures.
Recent High Temperatures
Just one day before, Delhi saw temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius at three of its weather stations. Mungeshpur, Narela, and Najafgarh have been experiencing unusually high temperatures recently.
Other Hot Locations
Before Delhi's record, Rajasthan's Churu and Phalodi held the highest temperatures this season at 50.5 degrees Celsius and 50 degrees Celsius, respectively. Here are some of India's hottest spots today:
- Mungeshpur, Delhi: 52.3 degrees Celsius
- Phalodi, Rajasthan: 51 degrees Celsius
- Sirsa, Haryana: 50.3 degrees Celsius
- Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh: 48 degrees Celsius
- Narela, Delhi: 47.9 degrees Celsius
Causes of the Heatwave
Experts say the extreme heat in Delhi is mainly due to heatwaves from Rajasthan. Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather, explained that open areas with vacant land receive increased radiation. Direct sunlight and lack of shade make these regions extremely hot.
Vulnerable Areas
Kuldeep Srivastava, the regional head of the IMD, mentioned that certain areas of Delhi are especially vulnerable to these early hot winds. Places like Mungeshpur, Narela, and Najafgarh are often the first to feel the impact of these intense heatwaves.
Delhi's record-breaking temperature is a reminder of the extreme weather conditions that can occur. While the evening rain provided temporary relief, the severe heatwave alert continues, urging residents to stay cautious and hydrated during these unusually hot days.
