New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is currently investigating an unprecedented temperature reading of 52.9 degrees Celsius reported by the Mungeshpur automatic weather station in Delhi. This temperature, if confirmed, would be the highest ever recorded in India. IMD Director General M Mohapatra has stated that there are concerns about the accuracy of this reading, as it significantly exceeds temperatures recorded at other stations across Delhi.
Temperature Anomalies and Verification Efforts
Dr. Mohapatra noted that while other monitoring stations in Delhi recorded temperatures ranging from 45.2 to 49.1 degrees Celsius, the Mungeshpur station's reading is an outlier. To address this anomaly, a team of specialists has been dispatched to Mungeshpur to check the temperature sensor for potential errors.
"The Mungeshpur station reported 52.9 degrees Celsius, which is an outlier compared to other stations. It could be due to an error in the sensor or local factors. IMD is examining the data and sensors," the IMD said in a statement.
Potential Local Factors
IMD regional head Kuldeep Srivastava suggested that local factors might have contributed to the unusually high temperature at Mungeshpur. He explained that the city's outskirts, including areas like Mungeshpur, Narela, and Najafgarh, are among the first to be hit by hot winds from Rajasthan, which could exacerbate the heat.
Official Position Pending Verification
Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that the temperature reading is not yet official and is being verified by senior IMD officials. "Temperature of 52.9 degrees Celsius in Delhi is very unlikely. Our senior officials in IMD have been asked to verify the news report. The official position will be stated soon," Rijiju said.
Historical Context and Current Conditions
The recorded temperature of 52.9 degrees Celsius, if confirmed, would surpass the previous highest temperature in Delhi of 49.2 degrees Celsius recorded in 2002. The IMD issued a red alert health notice for Delhi, warning of a "very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages," and urged "extreme care needed for vulnerable people."
The Safdarjung observatory, Delhi's primary weather station, recorded a maximum temperature of 46.8 degrees Celsius, the highest in 79 years. The intense heat has led to an all-time high power demand of 8,302 megawatts (MW) in Delhi as residents increasingly use air-conditioning.
Heatwave Trends and Climate Change
The recent heatwave is part of a broader trend of increasing temperatures attributed to climate change, causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent, and more intense. Other regions experiencing extreme temperatures include Phalodi in Rajasthan at 51 degrees Celsius and Sirsa in Haryana at 50.3 degrees Celsius.
Weather Forecast and Respite
IMD forecasts suggest a gradual reduction in heatwave conditions, with a fall in temperature of up to 4 degrees Celsius observed over southern Rajasthan. This trend is expected to extend northwards, bringing respite from the heatwave from May 30 onwards. Additionally, moist winds from the Bay of Bengal are likely to cause a decrease in maximum temperatures over Uttar Pradesh from Thursday.