On Tuesday, The capital city of the country, Delhi, is currently experiencing a surge in temperatures, with the mercury soaring to nearly 50 degrees. Hot winds from Rajasthan and intense sunlight have contributed to the rising temperatures in the outskirts of Delhi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that Delhi will endure high heat levels for the upcoming days, alongside facing a water scarcity issue.
In various regions of Delhi, including central and northwest India, the temperature peaked at 49.9 degrees Celsius at the automatic weather stations in Mungeshpur and Narela. Manual readings at Aya Nagar and Ridge near Delhi University recorded temperatures of 47.6 degrees Celsius and 47.5 degrees Celsius, respectively. The highest temperature recorded at the Safdarjung base station in the city was 45.8 degrees Celsius, marking the season's highest so far.
In May 2020, the temperature had reached 46 degrees Celsius. The IMD forecasts that the maximum temperature on Wednesday will be around 46 degrees Celsius. Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather, explained in an interview with The Print that open areas with minimal shade experience higher radiation levels, leading to exceptionally high temperatures.
He emphasized that wind direction, particularly from the west, significantly influences temperature spikes in these regions. Kuldeep Srivastava, IMD Regional Head, highlighted the sharp temperature rise in places like Najafgarh due to various factors, noting the impact of the heatwave originating from Rajasthan on the outer areas. Climate scientist Charan Singh pointed out that open and barren lands are contributing to temperature escalation through increased radiation. Delhi has been placed under a 'Red Alert' due to the recent temperature surge, and the IMD has warned of intense heat and strong winds in many parts of the city.
Despite the rising temperatures, Delhi is also grappling with a water crisis, with several areas facing severe water shortages. Allegations have been made against Haryana for not releasing water to Delhi since May 1, prompting officials to consider approaching the Delhi Supreme Court if the issue persists. Calls for water conservation have been amplified as Delhi heavily relies on neighboring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to meet its escalating water demands.
According to the latest economic survey, 64 percent of Delhi's water needs are fulfilled by Haryana, while 26.5 percent comes from Uttar Pradesh. The survey indicates a daily water requirement of 1290 million gallons for the city in 2022-23.