The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a red alert for the next five days, till May 23, in Delhi and its adjoining states, as the temperature soared over 47 degrees Celsius in many parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) the other day.
The prime weather body has urged “extreme care for vulnerable people” due to the heatwave in its seven-day forecast and suggested drinking sufficient water and using ORS or homemade drinks such as lassi, torani (rice water), lemon water, and buttermilk to stay hydrated.
For Tuesday, mainly clear skies with heatwave conditions in many parts of Delhi and severe heatwave conditions in other areas, accompanied by strong surface winds at speeds of 25-35 kmph have been predicted.
Delhi Heatwave: Temperature Breaches 47°C
Najafgarh recorded a high of 47.4 degrees Celsius on Monday, a day after the southwest Delhi area had recorded 47.8 degrees Celsius — the highest in the country so far this season.
Mungeshpur recorded 47.1 degrees, Aya Nagar recorded 45.7 degrees, Pusa recorded 46.1 degrees, Pitampura recorded 46.6 degrees, and Palam recorded 45.2 degrees.
Delhi has experienced a steady temperature rise, with the highest temperature recorded this summer reaching 44.4 degrees Celsius on Sunday. On Saturday, the temperature was 43.6 degrees Celsius, up from 42.5 degrees Celsius on Friday. On Monday, the national capital experienced the second-highest maximum temperature, 3.7 degrees above normal.
Power Demand At Its Highest in Delhi
The city’s peak power demand reached its highest for May due to the intense heat, prompting the Delhi government to direct schools that have not closed for summer vacations to do so immediately.
Real-time data from the State Load Dispatch Centre, Delhi, showed the peak power demand at 7,572 MW at 3:33 pm, the highest-ever peak power demand for Delhi in May. It was also higher than the peak power demand recorded last year — 7,438 MW — on August 22.
Schools Closed Till June 30 In Delhi
In a circular, the Directorate of Education in Delhi directed all schools to observe summer vacation from May 11 to June 30 for this academic year due to prevalent heatwave conditions.
The intense heat is particularly challenging for low-income households, which often have poor access to water and cooling, and is also testing the endurance of people who have to venture outside for work and other chores.
Heatwaves In Other States
Apart from Delhi, heatwave conditions are predicted in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh as well till May 26. No respite is expected till next week.
Intense heat continued in Rajasthan too with Pilani recording 46.6 degrees Celsius on Monday. Heatwave conditions are likely to prevail in parts of Gujarat, including Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar too over the next five days.
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