Delhi suffers record heatwave as temperatures soar near 50C

 

India's bustling capital, Delhi, has been engulfed by an unprecedented heatwave, with mercury levels approaching a blistering 50C. This scorching ordeal underscores the growing menace of climate change, which poses severe public health risks in the world's most densely inhabited nation.

The capital territory, harboring over 30 million inhabitants, has witnessed record-breaking temperatures exceeding 49C this week. The oppressive heat has halted daily activities, including construction, and forced authorities to implement water rationing to alleviate the stress on resources.

This relentless heatwave has not spared neighboring states such as Haryana and Rajasthan, where temperatures have soared past the 50C mark. A weather station in Delhi reported a staggering 52.9C on Wednesday, although the India Meteorological Department later suggested this reading might have been erroneous.

Scientists have consistently warned that India's escalating summer heat is becoming a significant public health peril, with a substantial portion of its 1.4 billion populace vulnerable to heatstroke and even fatality.

In response, regions like Delhi have established heat action plans to enhance early warning systems and manage extreme heat's repercussions. However, experts argue that far greater investment is necessary to mitigate the health and economic ramifications of rising temperatures. Notably, the majority of Delhi's households lack air conditioning.

"This situation resembles wartime," remarked Abhiyant Tiwari, a climate analyst at the Natural Resources Defense Council, a non-profit organization. "We must address this issue year-round to fortify our systems and policies."

A recent report by the World Weather Attribution research group, a collaboration of academics and scientists, revealed that extreme temperatures in South Asia are now 45 times more likely due to climate change.

Another study, published this year in the journal Environment International, estimated that heatwaves could be responsible for approximately 1,116 annual deaths across 10 major Indian cities.

This year's sweltering conditions have coincided with India's six-week general election, with daily rallies conducted under oppressive heat. The final voting phase will occur on June 1 in states like Punjab, where temperatures are expected to remain above 40C. Nationwide results are anticipated on Tuesday.

In Delhi, where voting transpired amid the intense heat last weekend, authorities have cautioned about a looming water crisis and accused neighboring Haryana of limiting the water flow from the Yamuna River.

Delhi's water minister, Atishi Marlena, announced that starting Thursday, officials would impose fines of Rs2,000 ($24) on construction sites illicitly utilizing domestic water supplies and residents using hoses to wash cars.

"I urge all Delhiites not to think solely of themselves," she implored. "We must consider everyone."