A severe heatwave has been reported in India, with a temperature of 52.3°C recorded on Wednesday, May 29 in the capital New Delhi. The previous record was set the previous day with a temperature of 50.5°C.
A record temperature of 52.3°C was recorded on Wednesday (May 29, 2024) in New Delhi, the capital of India, the meteorological office announced, while another record of 50.5°C was recorded the previous day and another 49.9°C the day before, Tuesday, May 28.
In May 2022, temperatures reached 49.2°C in parts of the capital. Scorching temperatures are common in India during summer, but researchers say climate change is causing longer, more frequent and more intense heatwaves.
In Pakistan, temperatures exceeding 50°C have been observed, but in India, reaching such values is rare. The global maximum temperature was 56.7°C (in the United States in 1913) and in France at 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 shortages
Authorities in New Delhi have also warned of water shortages as residents swelter in the heat. Supply cuts have already been seen in some places.
Minister of Water Affairs Atishi Marlena called for “collective responsibility” residents to end water waste, the newspaper reported on Wednesday.
India Time.
“To address the water shortage problem, 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, according to
Indian Express.
“The water that is saved will be rationed and distributed to the areas (faced) due to water shortages and supplies only lasting 15 to 20 minutes per day »he added.
The India Meteorological Department has warned of the impact of heat on health, especially for infants, the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases.
The destruction caused by Typhoon Remal
Meanwhile, the northeastern states of West Bengal and Mizoram were battered by strong winds and heavy rains accompanying powerful cyclone Remal, which battered 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 seen and blamed climate change for the unusually long duration.
