During India’s sixth phase of general elections, several regions experienced a severe heatwave, with Phalodi, Rajasthan registering a scorching 50°C on Saturday. This marked the highest temperature in India since June 1, 2019, when Churu, also in Rajasthan, recorded 50.8°C. Notably, Phalodi holds the all-time high record for India, with a temperature of 51°C recorded on May 19, 2016.
Apart from the northern plains and central regions, the heatwave also impacted the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya. A red alert warning has been issued for Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, indicating a high risk of heat-related illnesses. Several states, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, recorded temperatures of 45°C or above on Saturday. In Rajasthan, Barmer recorded 48.8°C, Jaisalmer 48°C, and Bikaner 47.2°C.
The heatwave is expected to continue for the próximos few days, with warm night conditions exacerbating the situation. High night temperatures, particularly in urban areas due to the urban heat island effect, increase the risk of heat-related stress.
