Delhi on fire: Capital city hits record 50.5 degrees as IMD predicts ’severe heat-wave conditions’

India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the temperature in Delhi soared to a record-high 51.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. 

IMD, which reported "severe heat-wave conditions", recorded the temperature in the Delhi suburb of Mungeshpur, breaking the landmark 50-degree Celsius mark for the first time in the national capital.

Severe heatwaves have been prevailing over Delhi since 17 May. 

Also read: Heatwave: Delhi LG directs paid afternoon break for construction labourers as temp reaches 50 degrees C

However, the weather agency has predicted light rain or a drizzle at isolated places in Delhi. The national capital will likely experience a partly cloudy sky and a duststorm/thunderstorm with strong surface winds of 35-45 kmph during the day.

The Met Department said the “severe" heatwave conditions are likely to reduce gradually from 30 May.

Also read: South Delhi neighbourhoods limited to once-daily water supply amid heatwave rationing

Power demand peaks

Delhi’s peak power demand clocks 8302 MW, the highest ever in Delhi's history, DISCOM officials said. This surpassed the record created just a few days earlier. 

Delhi’s peak power demand had clocked 8000 MW on May 22. For 12 days in a row now, Delhi’s peak power demand has crossed 7000 MW in 2024. 

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IMD on heatwave 

The IMD has issued a “red alert” for a “severe heatwave” in most parts of Haryana, Chandigarh-Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan. 

Heat waves have also been predicted in isolated pockets of Jammu, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh. 

Since 17 May, heatwave conditions have dominated Haryana, Chandigarh, and Rajasthan. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have been reeling under heatwave conditions since 18 May.

Also read: Mercury soars to nearly 50 degrees Celsius amid heatwave alert

“It is now the second week since the heat wave to severe heatwave persisted in North-West India. The temperature exceeded 47 degrees Celsius. We had issued a Red Alert," said IMD Scientist Dr Naresh Kumar. 

“For tomorrow, a red alert has been sounded in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Western UP and Madhya Pradesh. Heatwave to severe heat wave will prevail,” he added.