Delhi soaks in rain after highest-ever temperature of 52.3 degrees, and then, a twist

In some much-needed respite from “severe heat-wave conditions,” parts of Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region) received showers hours after the data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), showed that the Indian capital recorded the highest-ever temperature the country has experienced at 52.3 degrees Celsius, on Wednesday (May 29) afternoon.

Highest-ever temperature recorded in India?

The (IMD) had earlier reported “severe heat-wave conditions,” in the Indian capital after which it recorded an all-time high temperature in the Delhi suburb of Mungeshpur at around 2:30 pm (local time).

However,late Wednesday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju took to X and said that the reading is "not official yet," adding that the record-breaking temperature in Delhi is "very unlikely."

"Our senior officials in IMD have been asked to verify the news report. The official position will be stated soon," said the Union Minister.

"The maximum temperature over Delhi NCR varied from 45.2° to 49.1°C in different parts of city, Mungeshpur reported 52.9°C as an outlier compared to other stations," said the IMD in a statement.

It added, "It could be due to error in the sensor or the local factor. IMD is examining the data and sensors."

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If confirmed, the temperature in Delhi on Wednesday afternoon shattered the previously recorded set on May 19, 2016, when the Indian city of Phalodi, Rajasthan reached a sweltering 51 degrees Celsius.

Speaking about the record-breaking temperature, IMD regional head Kuldeep Srivastava said the city’s outskirts are the first areas to be hit by hot winds from Rajasthan.

“Parts of Delhi are particularly susceptible to the early arrival of these hot winds, worsening the already severe weather. Areas like Mungeshpur, Narela and Najafgarh are the first to experience the full force of these hot winds,” he told news agency PTI.

The temperature was more than nine degrees higher than expected, on the second day of record-breaking heat in the Indian capital.

The IMD has issued a red alert health notice for the city, with an estimated population of around 35 million people, warning of a “very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages,” with “extreme care needed for vulnerable people”.

Rainbrings some respite to Delhiites

Hours after Delhi recorded the country’s highest-ever temperature at 52.3 degrees Celsius, parts of the Indian capital and the surrounding region received rainbringing some much-needed respite from the scorching heat.

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The IMD predicted light-intensity rain and winds in parts of Delhi over the next two hours.

“Light intensity rain/drizzle and winds with speed of 20-30 Km/h would occur over and adjoining areas of isolated places of Delhi and NCR, Kharkhoda, Jhajjar, Sohana, Palwal, Nuh, Aurangabad, Hodal (Haryana) Jattari, Khair (U.P.) during next 2 hours,” said the IMD in a post on X.

While India is no stranger to scorching heat during summer, the increased severity of the heat waves which scientists have attributed to climate change, has worsened the situation and made heat waves longer, more frequent and more intense.

Dehradun recordshighest-ever temperature

The Indian city ofDehradun,Uttarakhand, on Wednesday also witnessedthe highest-ever temperature in its history after themercury shot up to43.1 degrees Celsius.

(With inputs from agencies)