A record temperature of 52.3°C was recorded on Wednesday (29 May 2024) in New Delhi, the capital of India, the meteorological office announced, while another record of 50.5°C occurred the previous day and another 49.9°C on the day . the day before, Tuesday 28 May.

In May 2022, temperatures will reach 49.2°C in several areas of the capital. Scorching temperatures are common in India during the summer, but researchers say climate change is causing longer, more frequent and more intense heat waves.

In Pakistan, temperatures exceeding 50°C have been observed, but in India, reaching this value is rare. The maximum global temperature was 56.7°C (in the United States, in 1913) and in France it was 46°C (in Véragues, in Hérault, in 2019). In terms of temperature, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) reached 62°C in March 2024.

Risk of water shortage

Authorities in New Delhi have also warned of the risk of water shortages as residents suffocate in the hot weather. Supply reductions have occurred in some places.

Water Minister Atishi Marlena called “collective responsibility” residents to end water waste, the newspaper reported on Wednesday India Time.

“To address the problem of water shortages, we have taken a series of measures such as reducing water supply from twice a day to once a day in many areas,” said Atishi Marlena, obeying Indian Express.

“The water saved will be rationed and distributed to the regions (faced) due to water shortages and supplies only lasting 15 to 20 minutes per day »he added.

The India Meteorological Agency has warned of the heat's impact on health, especially for babies, the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases.

Destruction caused by Typhoon Remal

Meanwhile, the northeastern states of West Bengal and Mizoram were hit by strong winds and heavy rain accompanying the powerful cyclone Remal, which devastated India and Bangladesh on Sunday, leaving more than 38 people dead.

Bangladesh's meteorological department said the cyclone was one of the longest the country has ever experienced and blamed climate change for its extraordinary duration.