India continues to battle an extreme heatwave, with New Delhi recording its hottest May in over a decade. The national capital has seen daytime and nighttime temperatures soaring above average levels, with the highest temperature now revised to 52.9°C. This has not only led to a spike in power consumption but also triggered a series of fire incidents, including one that gutted 16 cars in East Delhi. Heatstroke has claimed lives across several states, with 15 reported deaths in Bihar and Odisha, and additional fatalities in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to the relentless heat.In response to the crisis, the Delhi government has instructed hospitals to reserve beds for heatstroke victims, and the New Delhi Municipal Council is struggling to meet the water demands of residents in the city’s slums. The IMD has issued yellow alerts for 10 states, predicting heatwave to severe heatwave conditions, while also forecasting isolated rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning in some areas over the next 5 days. Relief may be in sight for Delhi as the IMD predicts light rain and thunderstorms on May 31, which could bring a much-needed reprieve from the ongoing heatwave. The weather pattern is expected to change with the southwest monsoon set to advance further, bringing widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds in many regions.
Key points
- New Delhi records its hottest May in 11 years with temperatures reaching 52.
- Heatwave conditions have resulted in multiple fatalities across India due to heatstroke.
- IMD forecasts light rain and thunderstorms in Delhi, potentially offering relief from the heat.
- Water scarcity in New Delhi leads to daily struggles for residents in slum clusters.
9°C.
Contradictions👾There is a discrepancy in the reported highest temperatures, with some sources reporting 52.
3°C and others reporting 52.
9°C.
