=The sweltering heat in Delhi has residents reeling, with temperatures pushing past 50 degrees Celsius, a first for the capital. Authorities are investigating whether a faulty sensor may have contributed to the anomaly, as a slew of other stations around the city recorded more consistent temperatures in the range of 49 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is examining the data and sensors at the Mungeshpur station, where the unusually large variation in temperatures was recorded.
The scorching heatwave has brought with it a set of alarming warnings, with the IMD cautioning of the potential health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases. A “very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heatstroke in all ages” was stressed, with “extreme care needed for vulnerable people”.
The climate crisis has been linked to the increasing frequency and severity of heatwaves, and Delhi is no exception. The city’s residents are already feeling the effects, with reports of fingers being scorched from touching car steering wheels and tap water coming out at boiling temperatures. “Having a shower is almost a waste of time,” said chemistry teacher Aruna Verma, “You come out of it and instantly you are a sweaty mess again.”
Newspapers have published guides on how to cope with the heat, advising residents to stay indoors and wear light, loose cotton clothing. However, this advice is impractical for many city dwellers, including laborers and market stall sellers. Construction workers, for instance, have been forced to scale back their activities between noon and 4 pm due to the intense heat.
Delhi HeatwaveVendors like Sameer Prakash, who sells vegetables from a cart, are struggling to make a living amidst the heat. “What’s the choice? No one is going to feed my children unless I take some money home, are they? Work is work. It just has to be done,” he said. “The sun just kills the vegetables so I buy less than usual from the wholesale market because if I don’t sell them, they will rot.”
Politicians have been addressing rallies in the blistering heat, with parties urging supporters to bring wet towels and extra water to stay hydrated. Meanwhile, India’s water minister, Atishi Marlena, has called for “collective responsibility” in stopping wasteful water use, as water shortages loom large over the capital.
India is not the only country reeling from the heatwave, with neighboring Bangladesh and Pakistan also experiencing extreme temperatures. In Bangladesh, cyclone Remal hit on Sunday, killing over 38 people, while in India, the northern states of West Bengal and Mizoram have been battered by gale-force winds and heavy rains.
As temperatures continue to soar, residents of Delhi are left to wonder when relief will come. For now, they must navigate the blistering heat, searching for ways to stay cool and safe until the monsoon season brings some much-needed respite.