The national capital experienced its hottest day on record, with the temperature soaring to a staggering 52.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. This unprecedented heatwave has pushed the citys power demand to an all-time high of 8,302 megawatts (MW) as residents increasingly relied on air conditioning to cope with the heat, according to electricity department officials. Scorching heat across northern IndiaThe heatwave hasnt spared other parts of the region either. In the desert state of Rajasthan, Phalodi recorded a temperature of 51 degrees Celsius, while another location hit 50.8 degrees Celsius. The extreme heat has prompted authorities to implement measures to mitigate health risks such as heatstroke, dehydration, and heart strain.BREAKING: 🇮🇳 Delhi reports record high temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) May 29, 2024What are reasons behind Delhis soaring temperaturesExperts attribute the soaring temperatures in Delhi to hot winds blowing from Rajasthan. The study attributes extreme temperatures to the urban heat island effect, where dense urban areas trap heat, reduce green spaces, create congestion, absorb heat, and generate additional heat from human activities. This phenomenon results in significantly warmer city centers, particularly during the night.High heat and humidity hinder the bodys ability to cool itself, leading to illness and potentially fatalities even at relatively lower temperatures. The combination of rising temperatures and humidity is increasing the heat index, which measures discomfort.Delhis extreme heat is directly related to the increase in built-up areas. As the city has grown, with built-up areas expanding from 31.4% in 2003 to 38.2% in 2022, urban heat stress has worsened. Although more green spaces can help reduce daytime temperatures, they do not significantly impact nighttime temperatures or the rising heat index. This urban expansion traps heat, causing the city to become hotter, especially at night.Understanding heatwavesA heatwave is declared when the actual maximum temperature remains 45 degrees Celsius or more, according to the Centre. The IMD defines a heatwave as a period when the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius for plains, 37 degrees Celsius for coastal stations, and 30 degrees Celsius for hilly regions, sustained over two or more days.Extreme heat across north IndiaThe heatwave is affecting not just the northern plains but also the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. During the sixth phase of the ongoing general elections, voters in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi faced extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in several locations. Many polling booths lacked adequate facilities like water, coolers, and chairs, causing voters to faint due to the harsh conditions.Deaths due to heatwavesAccording to the World Health Organization, over 166,000 people died from heatwaves between 1998 and 2017. In India, 3,812 deaths due to heatwaves were reported between 2015 and 2022. A World Bank report predicts that India could account for 34 million of the projected 80 million global job losses due to heat stress-related productivity declines by 2030.
