52.3 Degree in Delhi? Earth Sciences Minister Said This
Amid reports that Delhi”s temperature soared to an unprecedented 52.3 degrees Celsius, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences expressed skepticism. He mentioned that such a high temperature in Delhi is very unlikely and stated that senior officials in the India Meteorological Department (IMD) have been tasked with verifying the news report. An official position on the matter will be provided soon.
Earlier, news agency ANI had reported that Dr. Kuldeep Srivastava, Head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre at the IMD, claimed the highest temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius was recorded at the Mungeshpur Automatic Weather Station (AWS).
“It is not official yet. A temperature of 52.3°C in Delhi is very unlikely. Our senior officials in the IMD have been asked to verify the news report. The official position will be stated soon,” the minister wrote on X.
Reports have also said India’s weather agency IMD is currently investigating the accuracy of this temperature reading. IMD Director General M Mohapatra stated that the temperature sensor at the Mungeshpur AWS is being checked to ensure it is functioning properly.
If confirmed, the reported 52.3 degrees Celsius would be the highest temperature ever recorded in India. However, Dr. Mohapatra noted that out of Delhi”s 20 monitoring stations, 14 recorded a drop in temperature, with average temperatures across these stations ranging between 45 and 50 degrees Celsius.
Amidst these reports, two hours after Delhi recorded the country”s highest-ever temperature at 52.3 degrees Celsius, the national capital experienced showers this afternoon, offering some relief from the extreme heat.
Delhi has been enduring severe heatwave conditions over the past few days. The maximum temperature has been hovering around 50 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature has been inching closer to 30 degrees Celsius.
In another development, the IMD said the conditions continue to become favourable for Monsoon onset over Kerala during next 24 hours. It also added that the current conditions are also in favour of advance of monsoon over some parts of northeastern states during the same period.
