Heat Wave Continues; Temperatures Touch 50+ Degrees Celsius in Northern India

Temperatures soared past 50C in parts of northern and central India, with over 37 cities recording highs above 45C amidst an extreme heatwave, prompting severe alerts and concerns over rising heat risks.

India recently experienced scorching heat with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in some of its northern and central cities this week. Over 37 cities of the country saw the maximum temperature exceeding 45C (113F) as the heat wave conditions persisted. 

Delhi, the capital city was the hottest recorded with a maximum temperature of 49 degrees. 9C on Tuesday in the Narela and Mungeshpur areas, due to which the Indian Meteorological Department has warned severe heat wave for some parts of the city. A consumer court once came to a standstill for some time and the judge told everyone that it was extremely hot and they needed air conditioning.

Churu in Rajasthan and Sirsa in Haryana were among the hottest places with the temperature soaring to 50 and above degrees centigrade. Unfortunately, heat stroke incidents claimed three lives in Jaipur on Tuesday only. Other states like Rajasthan and Gujarat have suffered 9 to 12 days of heatwave conditions this month temperatures soaring to 45-50 C as per the weather department.

Hot weather is characteristic for India from March to September but the Meteorological Department has noted that in the current year, heatwaves will be longer and more severe. They expect the maximum temperatures to remain above normal in June even though the heatwave intensity is expected to decrease in the southwestern regions like Delhi which is expected to see 4-6 heatwave days instead of the usual 3.

But there may be some respite coming in the form of the annual monsoon that is expected to begin on the Kerala coast by May, 31, and the forecast for the rainy season is above average for the whole country.  

Also Read: Heatwave Scorches India: 10 Hottest cities

During the continued extreme heat of the coming days, preparation for the protection of people at risk is being made providing them with shade, water, and cooling measures. The heat indeed is another shocking aspect of the realities of climate change in India and the urgent signs for mitigation and adaptation.