Delhi-NCR registers national record-high temperature of 52.9 °C (127.2 °F)

Delhi-NCR, India, recorded a national record-high temperature of 52.9 °C (127.2 °F) on May 29, 2024. This record was set at 09:30 UTC (14:30 LT) at the Mungeshpur weather station, breaking the previous record of 51 °C (124 °F) in Rajasthan’s Phalodi town in 2016. IMD is examining the data and sensors at the station, see updates at the end of the article.

Delhi-NCR, India, registered a record-breaking temperature of 52.9 °C (127.2 °F) at 14:30 LT on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This temperature, recorded in the suburb of Mungeshpur, exceeded the previous national record of 51 °C (124 °F) set in Rajasthan’s Phalodi town in 2016.

The extreme heat was briefly alleviated by a sudden weather change, with clouds covering the city and light rain in several parts of Delhi providing significant respite.

On May 28, the Mungeshpur weather station recorded a high of 49.9 °C (121.8 °F). The highest temperature nationwide on May 28 was registered in Churu, West Rajasthan at 50.5 °C (122.9 °F).

The heatwave forced school closures in several cities and increased the risk of heatstrokes for outdoor workers.

In Bihar, several students fainted due to the heat at a government school. Video footage showed a girl being revived with water and manual fanning. “Electrolyte imbalance is causing fainting, vomiting, and dizziness,” said Dr. Rajnikanth Kumar, who treated the students.

Delhi’s Narela area saw residents distributing free cold drinks on Wednesday, where temperatures had reached 49.9 °C (121.8 °F) on Tuesday. Local authorities have restricted water supply due to shortages, imposing fines of 2 000 rupees ($24) for water wastage, such as car washing.

The heatwave claimed three lives on Tuesday in Jaipur, Rajasthan, increasing the death toll to at least 13 in the state, with four in Jaipur alone.

These extreme temperatures coincide with a six-week general election, exacerbating health risks as people wait in long lines to vote. The voting period ends on Saturday. India’s election body made additional arrangements for Delhi voters, including posting paramedics at polling stations due to the heat.

The IMD issued a heatwave warning for Wednesday and Thursday, covering several northern states, including Delhi. Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely over most parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and many parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and East Madhya Pradesh. Isolated parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Jammu division are also affected. Himachal Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh are expected to experience isolated heatwave conditions on May 29 and 30.

Simultaneously, conditions continue to favor the onset of the monsoon over Kerala within the next 24 hours. This will also affect parts of the South Arabian Sea, Maldives, Comorin area, Lakshadweep area, Southwest & Central Bay of Bengal, Northeast Bay of Bengal, and Northeastern states.

Meanwhile, Assam and Meghalaya are forecasted to receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on May 29 and heavy to very heavy rainfall on May 30 and June 2.

Updates

05:54 UTC, May 30

IMD is investigating the temperature sensor at the Mungeshpur weather station. The office’s Director General M Mohapatra said the reading of 52.9 °C (127.2 °F) might have been caused by an error in the sensor or due to local factors.

“The maximum temperature over Delhi NCR varied from 45.2 to 49.1 °C (113.4 to 120.4 °F)… Mungeshpur reported 52.9 °C (127.2 °F) as an outlier. IMD is examining the data and sensors,” the IMD said in a statement.

06:30 UTC, June 2

A record temperature of 52.9°C (127.22°F) reported this week in New Delhi was found to be erroneous due to a 3°C (5.4°F) sensor error, according to the Indian government.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) investigated the reading from the Mungeshpur weather station and identified the sensor malfunction, Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju announced.

Corrective measures have been implemented, but no corrected temperature was provided.

Despite this error, the city’s heat record was still broken, with two other weather stations reporting 49°C (120.2°F) and 49.1°C (120.38°F). The previous highest temperature recorded in New Delhi was 48.4°C (119.12°F) in May 1998.

References:

¹ Indian capital swelters in record heat for second day – Reuters – May 29, 2024

² Delhi weather changes as light rain brings brief relief; temperature hits record 52-degree mark – Live Mint – May 29, 2024

³ Prevailing heat wave to severe heat wave conditions over Northwest & Central India likely to reduce gradually from 30th May, 2024 – IMD – May 29, 2024

Featured image credit: EUMETSAT/Meteosat, Zoom Earth, The Watchers