Delhiites brave the searing heat to cast votes; no heatwave threat seen

Amidst the sweltering heat in the capital, Delhiites are casting their votes today in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), "No heat wave is forecast for the city. Isolated areas such as Najafgarh and Pusa might experience heatwave conditions."

The national capital is under a 'yellow' alert, says the Met Department.

Officials have expressed concerns that the soaring temperatures in parts of northern India, including Delhi and neighbouring Haryana state, could discourage voters from going to the polls and standing in lines, in an election earlier marked by low turnout.


By 11 am, voter turnout in Delhi reached 21.69 per cent, falling slightly below the average of 25.76 per cent.

The IMD has predicted mainly clear skies with surface winds reaching speeds of 25 to 35 kilometres per hour during the day. It has also predicted a warm night at isolated places.

Although it has cautioned that temperatures are expected to rise after Saturday. At 8.30 am, the humidity was recorded at 54 per cent.

The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 44 degrees Celsius.

Voting across 58 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs) in the sixth phase is underway.

The sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls includes eight seats in Bihar, all 10 seats in Haryana, one seat in Jammu and Kashmir, four in Jharkhand, all seven seats in Delhi, six in Odisha, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, and eight in West Bengal. A total of 889 candidates are in the fray.