Explainer: Data Error Falsely Reported Breaking Heat Record Of 52.9 Degrees, Actual Maximum Temperature In Delhi Ranges Between 45.2°C To 49.1°C
- By: Abhishek Parashar
- Published: Jun 3, 2024 at 06:01 PM
- Updated: Dec 12, 2024 at 01:28 PM
New Delhi (Vishvas News) Amid the scorching heat in the country, a debate has erupted over the ever-increasing heat, climate change, and other environmental issues after Dr Kuldeep Srivastava, head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Center at the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), reported that the maximum temperature in Mungeshpur, Delhi was recorded at 52.3°C.
Immediately after the data released by IMD was prominently covered by national and international media, Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju said it was not an official figure.
Responding to a tweet by news agency ANI (archive link ), he wrote, “It is not official yet. There is little chance of Delhi reaching 52.3°C. Our senior officials at IMD have been asked to verify it and the official status will be informed soon.” Later, IMD also issued a clarification stating, “This could be the result of a defect in the sensor or local factor”.
According to information provided by IMD on May 29, 2024, the maximum temperatures in various parts of Delhi-NCR ranged from 45.2 to 49.1°C. The recorded maximum temperature of 52.9°C in Mungeshpur could be due to a fault in the sensor or local factors, which are currently being investigated.
It is worth noting that the IMD monitors the temperature of Delhi using a network of 15 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and five departmental observatories. All these AWS are in effect from 2022. According to the information available on the IMD website, the temperature in Delhi-NCR is monitored with the help of a total of 15 such AWS.
According to IMD, “There are five major stations, which have been giving regular assessment reports for a long time, which are called climate stations.” Data from these five centres should be considered to understand the trends and extremes.
These five centres are Safdarjung, Palam, Lodhi Road (CHO), Ridge, and Ayanagar. According to the data of May 30, 2024, the maximum temperature in Mungeshpur was recorded at 44°C, whereas the maximum temperature in Najafgarh was 45.8°C, which is higher than Mungeshpur.
Weather Pattern Data For The Same Month Between 2011-2024
According to data (Safdarjung Climate Centre) available on the website of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature in Delhi since 2011 has ranged between 43.7°C (recorded on May 30, 2014 and May 23, 2023) to a maximum of 46°C (recorded on May 27, 2020).
At the same time, the maximum temperature recorded between May 27-30, 2024 is 45.4, 45.1, 45.8, and 46.8°C respectively. In terms of maximum average and minimum average, the maximum average of the month of May in 2023 was 36.8 degrees and the minimum average was 22.2 degrees Celsius.
The highest temperatures in the month of May 2024 have been recorded on 27, 28, 29, and 30 May were 45.4, 45.1, 45.8, and 46.8°C respectively, while in 2023 the maximum temperatures on these days were recorded at 34.9, 33.2, 35.7, and 35.9°C respectively.
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