Delhi's 52.3°C temperature ‘very unlikely’, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju shares IMD statement

Delhi's Mungeshpur locality on May 29 saw mercury rise up to 52.9 degrees Celsius, marking a record-breaking temperature in the national capital. While the nation gasped at the grip of severe heatwaves, union minister Kiren Rijiju questioned the reading, calling it ‘very unlikely’. 

Taking to microblogging site X, Kiren Rijiju said, "It is not official yet. Temperature of 52.3°C in Delhi is very unlikely. Our senior officials in IMD have been asked to verify the news report. The official position will be stated soon {sic}," 

Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Earth Sciences, had asked the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) to verify the data of Mungeshpur weather station in Delhi. 

On Tuesday, two Delhi stations, at Mungeshpur, as well as in Narela, posted readings of 49.9 degrees Celsius.

Official Statement issue by India Meteorological Department. @IMDWeather https://t.co/7TbzsiuNp6 pic.twitter.com/wGTFCR0g7f

— Kiren Rijiju (मोदी का परिवार) (@KirenRijiju) May 29, 2024

Mungeshpur weather station logged a maximum of 52.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday afternoon, making it the highest-ever temperature recorded in India. On Tuesday, two Delhi stations, at Mungeshpur, as well as in Narela, posted readings of 49.9 degrees Celsius.

In 2022, Delhi temperatures were recorded to have hit 49.2C.

In 2016, 51C was recorded in Phalodi on the edge of Rajasthan's Thar Desert, the highest confirmed temperature in India.

"Temperature over urban areas varies from place to place," the bureau added, saying variations could be due to factors such as the "proximity to water bodies, barren land", parks or dense housing.

Delhi remains sweltering in a heatwave. The IMD this week issued a red alert health notice for the capital, which has an estimated population of more than 30 million people.

The alert warns there is a "very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages", with "extreme care needed for vulnerable people".