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Large swaths of India remained in the grip of an intense heatwave on Thursday, May 24, 2024, with multiple states reeling under record-breaking temperatures. The soaring mercury posed severe challenges, not only for the general public but also for the electoral machinery as several regions prepared to go to the polls in the coming days.
From the desert landscapes of Rajasthan to the interiors of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, the heatwave showed no signs of relenting. Phalodi, a town in western Rajasthan, emerged as the hottest place in the country, with the maximum temperature soaring to a staggering 49 degrees Celsius, a departure of 6.2 degrees above normal.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued severe heatwave warnings for many parts of the country, urging people to take necessary precautions and remain indoors as much as possible. However, the grueling conditions posed a significant challenge for election officials tasked with ensuring smooth voting processes across the affected regions.
Station-wise Maximum Temperatures Recorded on 24-05-2024
| Region | Station | Maximum Temperature (°C) | Departure (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan | Ganganagar | 46.6 | 4.1 |
| Sikar | 43.5 | 3.7 | |
| Bhilwara | 45.5 | 3.9 | |
| Bikaner | 45.8 | 3.4 | |
| Kota | 46.7 | 3.9 | |
| Ajmer | 43.8 | 3.4 | |
| Barmer | 48.2 | 5.9 | |
| Jodhpur | 47.6 | 6.4 | |
| Churu | 44.8 | 2.1 | |
| Phalodi | 49.0 | 6.2 | |
| Jaisalmer | 48.3 | 5.8 | |
| Chittorgarh | 46.0 | 4.5 | |
| Interior Maharashtra | Brahmapuri | 45.0 | 2.4 |
| Akola | 45.8 | 3.7 | |
| Parbhani | 43.5 | 1.3 | |
| Aurangabad | 43.4 | 3.9 | |
| Jalgaon | 45.4 | 3.5 | |
| Amraoti | 44.0 | 2.7 | |
| Chandrapur | 43.0 | 0.5 | |
| Vardha | 44.2 | 1.3 | |
| Washim | 44.2 | 1.4 | |
| Yeotmal | 44.5 | 3.3 | |
| Madhya Pradesh | Ratlam | 46.2 | 7.2 |
| Rajgarh | 46.3 | 6.1 | |
| Marukheda | 45.7 | 5.9 | |
| Anowari | 43.4 | 2.1 | |
| Shajapur | 45.2 | 2.1 | |
| Guna | 44.2 | 2.8 | |
| Talun | 45.7 | 3.9 | |
| Dhar | 45.3 | 3.3 | |
| Khargone | 45.2 | 1.2 | |
| Khandwa | 45.5 | 1.6 | |
| Ujjain | 44.2 | 2.5 | |
| Tikamgarh | 43.0 | 3.8 | |
| Narsinghpur | 43.8 | 0.8 | |
| Bhopal | 43.7 | 2.2 | |
| Indore | 44.1 | 4.4 | |
| Haryana | Hissar | 43.8 | 2.2 |
| Narnaul | 43.0 | 0.8 | |
| Dadri | 43.1 | - | |
| Jind | 43.3 | - | |
| Sirsa | 45.4 | - | |
| Mahendragarh | 43.6 | - | |
| Bhiwani | 43.4 | - | |
| Punjab | Firozpur AWS | 43.5 | - |
| Bhatinda (Airport) | 44.8 | - | |
| Ludhiana AWS | 44.1 | - | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Bulandshahr | 43.0 | - |
| Orai | 43.8 | -0.8 | |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad | 45.5 | 3.6 |
| Gandhinagar | 45.5 | 3.2 | |
| V.V. Nagar | 44.1 | 4.8 | |
| Kandla | 44.1 | 2.3 | |
| Amreli | 43.8 | 3.0 | |
| Deesa | 44.8 | 4.2 | |
| Baroda | 44.0 | 4.1 | |
| Surendranagar | 44.0 | 1.5 | |
| Chhattisgarh | Durg | 43.2 | - |
Highest Temperature Recorded
- Phalodi (West Rajasthan): 49.0°C
The extreme weather conditions pose significant challenges for voters and election officials alike, with the potential to impact voter turnout. Despite the sweltering heat, the commitment to maintaining the democratic process remains strong, as officials urge citizens to exercise their right to vote.
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