"Error In The Sensor": IMD Clarification On 52.3 Degree Celsius Temperature In Delhi Today
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a clarification regarding reports of Delhi recording a temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius today, May 29, 2024.
IMD has recently enhanced its monitoring capabilities by installing Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) at 15 new locations across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), in addition to its existing manual departmental stations. These stations report temperature and rainfall observations.
Today, the maximum temperature across different parts of Delhi NCR varied between 45.2°C and 49.1°C. However, an outlier reading of 52.9°C was recorded at Mungeshpur. IMD has indicated that this unusually high temperature could be due to an error in the sensor or a local factor, and they are currently examining the data and sensors involved.
The overall maximum temperature in Delhi has decreased compared to yesterday, with rainfall in many parts of the city this afternoon contributing to a further drop in temperatures. IMD predicts that heat wave conditions will ease over the next 2-3 days due to an approaching western disturbance, expected rainfall, thunderstorms, and southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea.
IMD noted that temperature variations within urban areas can occur due to local factors such as proximity to water bodies, barren land, dense urban clusters, and green areas. For consistent and reliable data, IMD recommends referring to its five major stations—Safdarjung, Palam, Ayanagar, Ridge, and Lodi Road—that have been regularly reporting observations over a long period.
