This week, Delhi, India’s capital region, has endured a record-breaking heatwave with temperatures nearing 50°C. Scientists have warned that climate change is intensifying these alarming conditions in the world’s most populous country.
Delhi, home to over 30 million people, experienced unprecedented temperatures exceeding 49°C. The extreme heat halted activities such as construction work and led authorities to ration water to manage resource strain.
The heatwave has affected much of India, with Haryana and Rajasthan also experiencing temperatures above 50°C. A Delhi weather station recorded a maximum temperature of 52.9°C on Wednesday, though the India Meteorological Department later suggested this reading might have been erroneous.
Experts have highlighted that increasingly severe summer heat poses a significant public health risk in India, exposing many of the 1.4 billion population to dangers like heatstroke and death. Despite the introduction of heat action plans in regions like Delhi to enhance early warning systems and manage the impacts of extreme heat, analysts emphasize the need for more substantial investment to mitigate the health and economic consequences of rising temperatures. Notably, the majority of Delhi households lack air conditioning.
“This is like wartime,” stated Abhiyant Tiwari, a climate analyst with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “We need to address this issue year-round to better prepare our systems and policies.”
A recent report from the World Weather Attribution research group found that climate change has made extreme temperatures in South Asia 45 times more likely. Another study published this year in the journal Environment International estimated that heatwaves could be responsible for approximately 1,116 deaths annually across ten major Indian cities.
This year’s heatwave coincides with India’s six-week general election, with daily rallies often held in extreme conditions. The final phase of voting will occur on June 1 in states like Punjab, where temperatures are expected to stay above 40°C. Nationwide results are set to be announced on Tuesday.
In Delhi, which voted amid intense heat last weekend, authorities have warned of a water shortage and accused neighboring Haryana of restricting the water supply from the Yamuna River. Atishi Marlena, Delhi’s water minister, announced that fines of Rs2,000 ($24) would be imposed starting Thursday on construction sites illegally using domestic water supplies and on residents using hoses to wash cars.
“I appeal to all Delhiites not to think only about ourselves,” she said. “We should think about everyone.”
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