What Has Caused Record-Breaking Temperatures In Delhi? Weathermen Give THESE Reasons

On Wednesday, Delhi sweltered under extreme heat as the maximum temperature in the national capital reached an alarming 52.3 degrees Celsius, the highest ever temperature recorded in the city.

Delhi Heatwave: Delhi is reeling under an extreme heatwave over the past weeks with temperatures breaching the dreaded 50 degrees celsius for the first time in the city's history. On Wednesday, the national capital registered a blistering 52.3 degrees, its highest ever temperature in recorded history, as Delhiites struggled in their daily activities due to the intense heat which has clamped normal.

But what exactly has caused this unprecedented and bewildering surge in temperatures which has pushed the mercury in Delhi beyond record breaking levels?

Here are some explanations given by weather officials for the sweltering heat plaguing Delhi.

Why is Delhi witnessing record-breaking heat?

According to a senior official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), one of the major causes behind the record-breaking temperatures witnessed in parts of Delhi are the hot and humid winds blowing from nearby Rajasthan.

The gusts of hot winds coming from Rajasthan often hit Delhi's outskirts first, causin temperatures in these areas to rise considerably, the IMD official said.

"Parts of Delhi are particularly susceptible to the early arrival of these hot winds, worsening the already severe weather. Areas like Mungeshpur, Narela and Najafgarh are the first to experience the full force of these hot winds," IMD regional head Kuldeep Srivastava told news agency PTI.

Meanwhile, another weather expert believes that open areas with a lot of vacant land have an increased amount of radiation, which coupled with direct sunlight and lack of shade makes them hotter than the inner city areas.

"In open areas with vacant land, there is increased radiation. Direct sunlight and lack of shade make these regions exceptionally hot," said Mahesh Palawat, the vice president of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather.

"When wind blows from the west, it affects these areas first. As they are on the outskirts, temperatures rise rapidly," Palawat added.

Charan Singh, another IMD expert agreed with Palawat, stating that open areas and barren land are contributing to higher temperatures due to increased radiation.

Delhi records highest-ever temperature

On Wednesday, Delhi sweltered under extreme heat as the maximum temperature in the national capital reached an alarming 52.3 degrees Celsius, the highest ever temperature recorded in the city.

Officials said a maximum temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius, the highest ever in the capital city, was logged in Mungeshpur locality of northwest Delhi on Wednesday, breaching the previous high of 49.9 degrees Celsius, recorded a day earlier on Tuesday.

As per data posted on the IMD website, Mungeshpur area logged a blistering 52.3 degrees Celsius at 4.14 PM on Wednesday, which is the highest temperature ever recorded in the capital city's history so far.

(With PTI inputs)