📷 Image Credits: NDTV
The nondescript area of Mungeshpur in northwest Delhi made headlines when the temperature recorded by an India Meteorological Department weather station was a staggering 52.9 degrees Celsius, setting a record for not just the national capital but all of India. While the IMD is investigating the temperature sensor in the observatory as an outlier compared to other weather stations in Delhi, residents of Mungeshpur confirmed that it was indeed the hottest day they had experienced.
Jai Narayan, working at Jawahar Navodaya School, mentioned that meteorological department officials visited the area to check the sensor amid the extreme heat. Bhawani, a local hardware shop owner, described the intense heatwave that led to temperatures consistently over 45 degrees, making it feel like it was over 50 degrees on the peak day. Many residents, including the elderly like 65-year-old Vijay, faced health issues due to the scorching heat.
The situation worsened when a transformer exploded at 11 pm, leaving the area without electricity through the night. This prompted hospitalizations due to heat-related illnesses. Residents like Bhupendra, running a cycle repair shop, noted the decline in business as people refrained from stepping out in the afternoon heat, emphasizing the extreme conditions faced in Mungeshpur.
While recording the record-high temperature, the IMD chief M Mohapatra clarified that the 52.9-degree reading was not final and that further sensor checks were underway. He highlighted the uniqueness of Mungeshpur’s temperature compared to the rest of Delhi. The city authorities have since taken cautionary measures to address the impact of the heatwave, emphasizing the challenges faced by residents and businesses in coping with the unprecedented temperatures.
The heatwave engulfing parts of northern and central India, with provisional record temperatures reported in Delhi, has triggered warnings of heat-related illnesses and deaths. Residents across the affected regions are struggling to adapt to the scorching temperatures surpassing 50 degrees Celsius. The situation calls for urgent attention to mitigate the health risks posed by the extreme heatwave, ensuring the well-being of the population amidst these challenging climatic conditions.
