Since May 2024, a severe and long heat wave has impacted India.[1] The heat wave occurred during the Indian dry season, which typically lasts from March to July with peak temperatures in April and May. Rajasthan's Churu recorded 50.5 °C (122.9 °F), which was the highest temperature in India in eight years.[2]
 | |
| Areas | India |
|---|---|
| Start date | May 2024 – ongoing |
| Peak temp. | 50.5 °C (122.9 °F), recorded at Churu, Rajasthan |
| Losses | |
| Deaths | 733+ |
| Hospitalizations | 25,000+ |
A temperature of 52.9°C recorded in Mungeshpur, Delhi, originally thought to be record-breaking, turned out to be roughly 3°C too high due to a faulty sensor.[3][4]
Casualties
editAs of June, there were 219 deaths from the heat wave,[5] and 25,000 others suffered from heatstroke.[6] The dead included 33 workers who stationed on election duty when India was conducting the seventh and last phase of its general election.[7] There were 147 reported deaths in the state of Odisha, and 12 more in Rajasthan.[5]
In Rajasthan, temperatures reached 50 °C (122 °F) in Churu, Sirsa and Phalodi, while Delhi's Mungeshpur, Narela and Najafgarh also neared 50 °C on 28 May.[8][9] There were more than twice as many heatwave days recorded in northwestern and eastern parts of the country than usual, mainly due to fewer non-monsoon thundershowers and warm winds blowing from neighbouring arid regions into India.[6] IMD data showed that Delhi recorded its warmest night ever at a minimum temperature of 35.2 °C (95.36 °F).[10]
Indian authorities reported over 40,000 cases of heatstroke through the country during the heat wave.[11]
Impact
editDue to the intense heat increasing water consumption and lowering river levels, New Delhi is currently suffering from a water crisis requiring water tankers to be driven into distribution points in order to provide hydration to citizens whose taps ran dry.[12]
The intense, prolonged increase in temperature caused many manufacturing companies to lower working hours during the month of May, contributing to a national three-month low in the rate of increase in new orders.[13] Due to increased usage of electricity for cooling, the All India Power Engineers Federation warned of potential blackouts and loss of power on 18 June 2024.[14]
References
edit- ^ Jacob, Charmaine (14 June 2024). "In pictures: India records 'longest' heatwave, Delhi faces water crisis". CNBC. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ "Rajasthan's Churu records 50.5 degree celsius, becomes hottest city in India". Financialexpress. 28 May 2024. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ Kaushik, Krishn (2 June 2024). "Delhi's record 52.9C temperature reading was wrong by three degrees, India says". Reuters. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "Delhi weather station that recorded 52.9°C had '3°C sensor error': Union Minister". India Today. 1 June 2024. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ a b "8 more Odisha, Rajasthan deaths push heatstroke toll to 219". Times of India. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Indian heatwave kills dozens over summer, media says nearly 25,000 fall ill". Reuters. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "India's deadly heat kills over 200 people, including dozens of poll workers as elections wrap up". The Independent. 3 June 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Mufti, Ifrah (29 May 2024). "Delhi records highest-ever temperature of 52.9 Celsius, IMD issues red alert for Wednesday". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "Heatwave alert: These Indian cities surpass 50 degrees Celsius in 2024". The Times of India. 30 May 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ Stuti Mishra (21 June 2024). "Rise in night temperatures amid relentless heatwave leaves India sleepless". The Independent. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Patel, Shivam; Agarwala, Tora (19 June 2024). "India reports over 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases over summer". Reuters. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ Zargar, Arshad R. (3 June 2024). "At least 50 deaths blamed on India heat wave in just a week as record temperatures scorch the country - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Dhoot, Vikas (3 June 2024). "Heatwave and poll effects drag factory output, new orders to 3-month low in May". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Dhillon, Amrit (18 June 2024). "Indian engineers warn of prolonged blackouts amid searing heatwave". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 June 2024.