New Delhi Records Hottest Night in 55 Years; Heatwave Causes Numerous Deaths in Capital

New Delhi: As the intense heatwave burns on in New Delhi, the city recorded its hottest night in 55 years. As per reports, the national capital recorded the highest minimum temperature for June on the night of June 18, at 35.2° Celsius.

And the impacts are telling. As per some reports, authorities said on June 20 that they had recovered 50 bodies over the last 48 hours – all of people belonging to underprivileged socioeconomic backgrounds – in the city. However, they are still yet to be categorised as deaths caused by heat-related illnesses. At least 10 deaths have occurred due to suspected heat-related illnesses in two hospitals in the city.

Meanwhile, power consumption surged to a high of more than 8,000 megawatts, per some reports.

Hottest night in 55 years

On Tuesday night, June 18, New Delhi recorded its highest minimum temperature for June in the last 55 years, when the Safdarjung Observation Station clocked 35.2°C.

As per The Hindu which quoted officials of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), India’s national weather agency, this is an eight Degree shift above the season’s normal and the highest minimum night temperature recorded in June in the past 55 years.

As per the Hindustan Times, the IMD said it was yet to analyse data between 1901 and 1968, and that the night of June 18 could also be the hottest ever recorded in Delhi. Per the news report, the night was also the city’s sixth consecutive “warm night” – nights when the maximum temperature is above 40°C and at least 4.5°C or more above normal.

According to Deccan Herald, temperatures in Delhi have stayed above 40°C since May 12. Over these 36 days, the temperature crossed 45°C for 16 days, according to IMD data.

Deaths due to heat stress

According to a report by PTI, authorities said on June 20 that they had recovered 50 bodies over the last 48 hours, of people belonging to underprivileged socioeconomic backgrounds, in the city. However, they are still yet to be categorised as deaths caused by heat-related illnesses.

The PTI report also noted that the Centre for Holistic Development, a Delhi-based NGO working for the homeless, had claimed that 192 deaths of homeless people had occurred in the city due to the heat wave from June 11 to 19.

Over the last two days, a centre-run hospital in the city has also received 22 patients; five of the patients died, as per reports. Similarly, Safdarjung Hospital received 60 patients suspected to have been affected by heatstroke; it also reported six casualties.

Most of the patients being admitted to hospitals are labourers, doctors told the PTI.

Power consumption surges

A report by the Hindustan Times also quoted data from local power distribution companies that suggest that the city’s power demand surged to a new high of 8,656 megawatts (MW), setting a record for a second consecutive day on Wednesday.