Delhi: IMD probes possible 'sensor error' in record-breaking heatwave
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is investigating the temperature sensor at the Mungeshpur automatic weather station in Delhi, according to the office's Director General M Mohapatra. This station reported 52.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, the highest ever recorded in India. Dr. Mohapatra noted that of the 20 monitoring stations in Delhi, 14 reported a temperature drop, with the average ranging from 45-50 degrees Celsius. He described the Mungeshpur station as an "outlier" and stated that its reading requires further verification.
Mungeshpur an outlier, says weather office
A team of specialists went to Mungeshpur to check the temperature sensor, Dr. Mohapatra said. He speculated that local factors around Mungeshpur could be the cause of the high reading. "The maximum temperature over Delhi NCR varied from 45.2 to 49.1 degree...Mungeshpur reported 52.9 degree Celsius as an outlier... It could be due to error in the sensor or the local factor. IMD is examining the data and sensors," the IMD said in a statement on Thursday.
Officials verifying news: Rijiju
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "It is not official yet. Temperature of 52.3 degree Celsius in Delhi is very unlikely. Our senior officials in IMD have been asked to verify the news report. The official position will be stated soon." IMD Regional Head Kuldeep Srivastava explained that the city's outskirts are the first areas to be hit by hot winds from Rajasthan. "Parts of Delhi are particularly susceptible to the early arrival of these hot winds," he said.
Temperature 9 degree higher than expected
The temperature was over nine degrees higher than expected, marking the second consecutive day of record-breaking heat. It surpassed the 2002 record of 49.2 degrees Celsius by more than a degree. Brief rain in Delhi on Wednesday evening is likely to raise humidity levels. Delhi's primary weather station, Safdarjung Observatory, recorded a maximum temperature of 46.8 degrees Celsius, the highest in 79 years.
IMD issues red alert for Delhi
The IMD issued a red alert for Delhi, home to over 30 million people, warning of a "very high likelihood of heat illness and heat stroke in all ages" and advising "extreme care for vulnerable people." Phalodi in Rajasthan recorded 51 degrees Celsius, and Sirsa in Haryana reached 50.3 degrees Celsius. A 4-degree drop in temperature was observed in southern Rajasthan districts due to moist winds from the Arabian Sea, indicating the heatwave may be reducing.
