Most parts of India are currently experiencing intense heat, particularly the plains of North India, which have been in the midst of a severe heat wave for the past five days. The Meteorological Department has announced that there will be no relief from the high temperatures in the upcoming days, issuing a red alert for a heat wave in states such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and North West Madhya Pradesh.
Special attention is advised for the elderly, children, and individuals with health issues due to the scorching heat, which is also affecting lower hilly areas. On Tuesday, many regions, including parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh, recorded temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, significantly disrupting normal life. The combination of extreme heat and humidity in several areas of Gujarat is exacerbating the situation, with Sirsa, Haryana reaching the country's highest temperature of 47.8 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
While Delhi saw a slight decrease in temperature on Tuesday, it still remains three to five degrees Celsius above normal, leading to a spike in electricity consumption. The city witnessed a record demand of 7,717 MW on Tuesday, expected to rise to 8,200 MW in the coming days. With the sixth phase of voting scheduled for May 25 in Delhi, there have been requests for the Election Commission to provide fans, coolers, and cold water at polling stations to combat the heat.
The Meteorological Department predicts a further increase of two to three degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures over the next few days. Pilani, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan recorded a high of 47.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, highlighting the escalating temperatures during the summer season. The ongoing heatwave is not only impacting the income of low-income groups but also poses a threat to India's economy.
The World Bank report suggests that by 2030, more than 3 crore jobs in India may be at risk due to the heat, affecting productivity and potentially causing significant losses to the country's GDP.
