Delhi, India Hits Record High Temperatures Leading to Water Rationing

Delhi, the capital territory of India, experienced its hottest temperature ever recorded on Tuesday, reaching 49.9 degrees Celsius (121.8 degrees Fahrenheit). The oppressive heat wave led authorities to implement water rationing to cope with the extreme conditions.

According to the ****Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the new record was set in the suburb of Mungeshpur, surpassing Delhi's previous highest temperature of 49.2 degrees Celsius (120.5 degrees Fahrenheit) which was recorded in May 2022.

At a news conference, Atishi Marlena Singh, a senior minister in the Delhi government, mentioned that certain parts of Delhi are facing challenges in accessing water, with some areas having no water supply at all.

Singh also stated that in order to address the issue of water scarcity in certain areas, the water delivery schedule in areas that usually receive water twice a day will be reduced to once a day. This measure aims to redirect resources to areas that have been experiencing little to no water supply.

The water shortages in Delhi were due to the extreme heatwave and a decrease in water deliveries from Haryana, according to Singh.

Workers take refuge beneath a parked truck from the scorching heat, in Guwahati, India on Saturday.

Workers take refuge beneath a parked truck from the scorching heat, in Guwahati, India on Saturday.

Anupam Nath/AP

Northwestern India, including Delhi, experienced a spike in temperatures. In Churu, Rajasthan, the mercury soared to 50.5 degrees Celsius (122.9 degrees Fahrenheit), while in Sirsa, Haryana, temperatures reached 50.3 degrees Celsius (122.5 degrees Fahrenheit).

According to Indian authorities, heatwave conditions will continue in Delhi on Wednesday but are anticipated to ease starting Thursday, as per the IMD.

A man drinks water at a roadside stall serving free drinking water to commuters in New Delhi on May 22.

A man drinks water at a roadside stall serving free drinking water to commuters in New Delhi on May 22.

Extreme heat is increasingly common and intense worldwide due to the climate crisis caused by humans. Experts warn that India, in particular, is highly susceptible to extreme heat, with some regions reaching dangerous levels that challenge human survival.

Since 1992, heat waves have claimed the lives of over 24,000 individuals in the country. A recent study has warned that the rise in heat events in the future may pose a threat to India’s development. This could potentially undo the progress made in poverty alleviation, healthcare, and economic growth.

Editor's P/S:

The scorching heatwave that has gripped Delhi, reaching an unprecedented high of 49.9 degrees Celsius, is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change. The oppressive heat has led to water shortages, with some areas facing complete deprivation of this essential resource. The government's decision to implement water rationing is a necessary step to address the crisis, but it also highlights the urgent need for long-term solutions.

Extreme heat events are becoming increasingly common and intense in India, and the country is particularly vulnerable to their effects. The human toll of heatwaves is staggering, with thousands of lives lost in recent decades. The economic and social consequences are also significant, threatening to undo the progress made in poverty alleviation and economic growth. It is imperative that we take immediate action to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect vulnerable communities from its devastating impacts.