Delhi sears at nearly 50°C, hits highest maximum temperature this summer

Temperatures in parts of India's national capital Delhi including Mungeshpur, Najafgarh and Pitampura hit nearly 50 degree Celsius on Wednesday morning as heatwave continued its grip across northern and central parts of the country.

Churu in Rajasthan and Sirsa in Haryana saw maximum temperatures just exceeding 50 degree Celsius at 50.5 and 50.3 respectively, as per data from the Indian Meteorological Department.



The IMD on Tuesday said that respite from the heatwave conditions could be in sight after May 30.

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According to the IMD, 10 weather stations recorded the highest-ever maximum temperature and the highest for the month -- Agra-Taj (48.6 degrees Celsius), Dehri in Bihar (47 degrees Celsius), Hamirpur in Uttar Pradesh (48.2 degrees Celsius), Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh (49 degrees Celsius), Narnaul in Haryana (48.5 degrees Celsius), Ayanagar-Delhi (47.6 degrees Celsius), New Delhi-Ridge (47.5 degrees Celsius), Rewa in Madhya Pradesh (48.2 degrees Celsius), Rohtak in Haryana (48.1 degrees Celsius), and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh (47.2 degrees Celsius).

The severe heatwave is straining power grids and causing water shortages across parts of the country. The Central Water Commission reported that water levels in 150 major reservoirs in India fell to only 24 percent of their capacity last week, worsening water shortages in many states and significantly impacting hydropower generation.

The Maharashtra irrigation department said that the water stock in Jayakwadi dam in the drought-prone Marathwada region stood at a mere 5.19 per cent of its capacity on Monday after recording an evaporation loss of 1.15 MCM (million cubic metres) in a single day due to the heat.

The extreme heat has pushed India's power demand to 239.96 gigawatts, the highest this season, as air conditioners and coolers in homes and offices operate at full capacity.

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