Delhi's Record Temperature | Investigating the Unprecedented 52.9°C Reading

Delhi's Record Temperature | Investigating the Unprecedented 52.9°C Reading

Introduction:

A weather station in Delhi recently recorded a temperature of 52.9 degrees Celsius, the highest ever in India. 

This extreme reading has prompted the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to investigate the accuracy of the temperature sensor at the Mungeshpur automatic weather station.

Unusual Temperature Spike at Mungeshpur:

According to IMD Director General M. Mohapatra, the Mungeshpur weather station's reading stands out as an anomaly among Delhi's 20 monitoring stations. 

While the city's average temperatures ranged from 45 to 50 degrees Celsius, the 52.9 degrees reading is significantly higher and requires verification. 

A team of specialists has been dispatched to Mungeshpur to examine the sensor and determine if local factors contributed to this unusually high temperature.

Comparison with Other Weather Stations:

The IMD reported that temperatures across Delhi NCR varied between 45.2 and 49.1 degrees Celsius. The outlier reading from Mungeshpur, therefore, could be due to sensor error or unique local conditions. 

Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that the 52.3-degree reading is not yet official and that senior IMD officials are investigating.

Causes of Rising Temperatures:

IMD regional head Kuldeep Srivastava explained that Delhi’s outskirts, such as Mungeshpur, are particularly vulnerable to hot winds from Rajasthan. 

These areas are often the first to experience severe heat, which can exacerbate already high temperatures. 

The recent heatwave in Delhi saw temperatures exceeding previous records, with Safdarjung observatory recording 46.8 degrees Celsius, the highest in 79 years.

Health Alerts and Energy Demand:

The IMD has issued a red alert health notice for Delhi, warning of a high likelihood of heat-related illnesses and heat stroke. 

With a population of over 30 million, the city has seen a record power demand of 8,302 megawatts as residents turn to air-conditioning to cope with the heat.

Regional Heatwave Conditions:

Other regions have also reported extreme temperatures, including Phalodi in Rajasthan at 51 degrees Celsius and Sirsa in Haryana at 50.3 degrees Celsius. 

However, there is some relief in sight. A decrease in temperatures has been recorded in southern Rajasthan due to moist winds from the Arabian Sea, indicating a potential end to the heatwave.

Future Weather Predictions:

Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) data suggest that this cooling trend will extend northwards, bringing gradual relief from the heatwave conditions by May 30. 

Additionally, the arrival of moist winds from the Bay of Bengal is expected to further decrease temperatures in Uttar Pradesh.

Conclusion:

The unprecedented temperature reading of 52.9 degrees Celsius in Delhi has raised concerns and prompted an investigation by the IMD. 

While the accuracy of this reading is yet to be confirmed, the overall high temperatures have had significant impacts on health, energy demand, and regional weather patterns. 

Relief from the heatwave is anticipated as cooler winds begin to affect the region, offering a gradual respite from the extreme conditions.

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