On Wednesday, the Mungeshpur automatic weather station in Delhi recorded an unprecedented temperature of 52.9 degrees Celsius, surpassing India’s previous national record of 51 degrees Celsius set in Phalodi, Rajasthan, in 2016. This extreme heat has raised concerns and scrutiny regarding the accuracy of the data.
Residents in Delhi have been experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures spiking drastically over the past week. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that the temperature recorded was nine degrees higher than expected. On Tuesday, Mungeshpur and Narela areas recorded 49.9 degrees Celsius, surpassing the 49.2 degrees Celsius record of 2002.
The sweltering heat has significantly impacted daily life, with reports of people burning their fingers on car steering wheels and scalding water from taps. Some experts and officials, including IMD Director General M Mohapatra, have questioned the accuracy of the Mungeshpur reading, labeling it an “outlier” and attributing it to possible sensor errors or local factors.
One major contributor to the elevated temperatures in metropolitan areas like Delhi is the urban heat island effect. This phenomenon occurs when urban regions exhibit higher hot than their rural surroundings due to human activities, dense infrastructure, and materials that absorb and retain heat more efficiently than natural landscapes.
Unreliable Weather Station Readings in Nagpur: Sensor Malfunctions
Nagpur also reported alarming temperatures with two automatic weather stations (AWS) recording abnormally high readings. The AWS at the PDKV agricultural field in Ramdaspeth reported 56 degrees Celsius, while the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) at Sonegaon showed 54 degrees Celsius. In contrast, other stations in the region recorded temperatures around 44 degrees Celsius.
Following these unusual readings, regional meteorological officials highlighted that AWS sensors tend to malfunction at temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, leading to inaccurate data. This malfunction is known as a positive bias, where the sensors lose linearity at high temperatures, resulting in exaggerated readings.
A study by the VNIT’s climatology lab emphasized the variation in temperatures within Nagpur, influenced by factors like green cover, urban density, and land use. This local climate zoning underscores the complexity of accurately measuring temperatures in different parts of the city.
Global and Local Causes of Extreme Heat
The soaring heat and cool in India are part of a broader global trend of rising heat levels. Scientists attribute this to several factors, including the El Niño effect, which began in 2023. El Niño is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, affecting global weather patterns and contributing to extreme heat.
Additionally, the urban heat island effect exacerbates conditions in cities, where concrete, asphalt, and buildings absorb and retain more heat than natural landscapes. This leads to higher heat in urban areas compared to their rural counterparts.
As the El Niño effect is expected to subside by June, it will be replaced by La Niña, which involves cooling ocean warmth and is typically associated with different weather patterns, including a potentially strong monsoon season in India.
The unprecedented heat in Delhi and the sensor issues in Nagpur highlight the challenges of monitoring and understanding extreme weather events. Accurate data and comprehensive studies are crucial in addressing and mitigating the impacts of such heatwaves on populations and infrastructure.
Caution from Authorities from high temperature
Due to the high heat, the government has warned people to stay safe. They say:
- Stay Indoors: Try to remain inside, especially during the hottest part of the day.
- Drink Water: Keep drinking water to stay hydrated.
- Wear Light Clothes: Choose light-colored and loose clothes.
- Be Careful: Watch out for signs of heat sickness like headache and tiredness.
- Help Others: Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially those who are old or sick.
Also read: Cyclone Remal Aftermath: Landslide in Aizawl Claim 25 Lives, Stone Quarry Collapse Most Devastating
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