India warns of a heat wave as temperatures reach record highs in Delhi

India warns of a heat wave as temperatures reach record highs in Delhi

A day after sections of the nation’s capital, Delhi, registered their highest temperature ever, at nearly 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit), the weather department of India issued a red alert for numerous regions in the northwest of the country on Wednesday, warning of an extreme heat wave.

The India Meteorological Department states that a red signal indicates a “very high likelihood” of people experiencing “heat illness and heat stroke” and advises “extreme care” for the most vulnerable.

On Tuesday, local weather stations in the Delhi neighborhoods of Mungeshpur and Narela recorded a temperature of 49.9 degrees Celsius, setting a record for the city and 9 degrees above average.

The local administration of Delhi also limited water supplies due to heat. The primary source, the Yamuna River, was thought to have low water levels.

Although the city never has a complete supply of water, the administration announced that more limits would apply to neighborhoods that receive water for a few hours twice a day.

Atishi, the local government water minister, spoke on Tuesday and used just one name. “I appeal to all the residents to please use water very carefully, whether there is a water problem in your area or not,” she said.

This summer has been hotter than usual for billions of people around Asia, including Pakistan, India’s neighbor. According to international scientists, this tendency has gotten worse due to human-caused climate change.