Record high of 49.9°C reported in Delhi suburbs

Temperatures in India’s capital have soared to a record-high 49.9°C as authorities warn of water shortages in the sprawling mega-city.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), which reported “severe heat-wave conditions”, recorded the temperatures on Tuesday at two Delhi suburbs stations at Narela and Mungeshpur.

The weather bureau said the temperatures were 9°C higher than expected.

Forecasters were predicting similar temperatures yesterday in the city of more than 30 million people, issuing a red alert warning notice for people to take care.

In May 2022, parts of Delhi hit 49.2°C, Indian media reported at the time.

Years of scientific research have found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense. — AFP