Delhi Records Highest Ever Temperature, Hits 52.3 Degrees

A sweltering heatwave hit Delhi on Wednesday, reaching unprecedented levels. A weather station in the city's Mungeshpur area recorded a staggering 52.3 degrees Celsius, the highest-ever temperature in the national capital, surpassing India's previous record.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported "severe heat-wave conditions" and confirmed that the temperature reading at the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Mungeshpur village, an automatic weather station (AWS), broke Rajasthan's national record.

"It's excessively hot, almost like raining fire." Last year, there were no heatwaves at peak summer, and it rained occasionally. Even a year before, the summer wasn't as punishing."

The heatwave has led to a surge in power demand. The national capital reported an all-time high of 8,302 megawatts (MW) as residents turned on power-intensive air-conditioning to seek relief from the scorching temperatures.

Other areas in the region recorded extreme temperatures. Phalodi in Rajasthan hit 51 degrees Celsius and Sirsa in Haryana reached 50.3 degrees Celsius.

Rakesh Sharma from Mungeshpur said, "It feels like we're living in an oven. The heat is relentless, and even stepping outside is a challenge. We're desperately hoping for relief from this intense heatwave."

The heatwave has disrupted daily life and raised concerns about health risks. "Prolonged high temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses. Authorities have issued advisories urging residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities, and seek medical attention for symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or muscle cramps. Meteorologists are monitoring for relief in the coming days.