2024 Indian heat wave
 | |
| Areas | India |
|---|---|
| Start date | April 2024 – June 2024 |
| Peak temp. | 50.5 °C (122.9 °F), recorded at Churu, Rajasthan |
| Losses | |
| Deaths | 219+ |
| Hospitalizations | 40,000+ |
From April 2024 to June 2024,[1][2] a severe and long heat wave affected India.[3] The heat wave occurred during the Indian dry season, which typically lasts from March to July, with peak temperatures in April and May. The year marked the third consecutive year of extreme heat waves in the country, a trend partly attributed to climate change.[1][2].
Churu district in Rajasthan recorded a temperature of 50.5 °C (122.9 °F), the highest in India in eight years.[4]. A temperature of 52.9°C was recorded in Mungeshpur, Delhi, and was initially thought to be record-breaking. However, it was later found to be approximately 3°C too high due to a faulty sensor.[5][6]
Casualties
[edit]As of 3rd June 2024, there were a total of 219 deaths reported from the heat wave,[7] and 25,000 others suffered from heatstroke.[8] The deaths include 33 workers who were stationed on election duty during the seventh and last phase of the 2024 Indian general elections.[9] There were 147 reported deaths in the state of Odisha, and 12 more in Rajasthan.[7]
In Rajasthan, temperatures reached 50 °C (122 °F) in Churu, Sirsa and Phalodi, while Delhi's Mungeshpur, Narela and Najafgarh also neared 50 °C on 28 May.[10][11] There were more than twice as many heatwave days recorded in northwestern and eastern parts of the country than usual, mainly due to fewer non-monsoon thundershowers and warm winds blowing from neighbouring arid regions into India.[8] IMD data showed that Delhi recorded its warmest night ever at a minimum temperature of 35.2 °C (95.36 °F).[12]
Indian authorities reported over 40,000 cases of heatstroke through the country during the heat wave.[13]
Impact
[edit]Due to the intense heat increasing water consumption and lowering river levels, New Delhi suffered a water crisis, requiring water tankers to be driven into distribution points in order to provide hydration to citizens whose taps ran dry.[14]
The intense, prolonged increase in temperature caused many manufacturing companies to lower working hours during the month of May, contributing to a national three-month low in the rate of increase in new orders.[15] Due to increased usage of electricity for cooling, the All India Power Engineers Federation warned of potential blackouts and loss of power on 18 June 2024.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Ghosh, Sahana (17 May 2024). "India reels under a third straight year of severe heatwaves". Nature India. doi:10.1038/d44151-024-00071-1.
- ^ a b Shankar, Priyanka (3 September 2024). "The climate drivers behind southwest India's intensifying heat waves". Mongabay-India. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- ^ Jacob, Charmaine (14 June 2024). "In pictures: India records 'longest' heatwave, Delhi faces water crisis". CNBC. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ "Rajasthan's Churu records 50.5 degree celsius, becomes hottest city in India". Financialexpress. 28 May 2024. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ Kaushik, Krishn (2 June 2024). "Delhi's record 52.9C temperature reading was wrong by three degrees, India says". Reuters. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "Delhi weather station that recorded 52.9°C had '3°C sensor error': Union Minister". India Today. 1 June 2024. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ a b "8 more Odisha, Rajasthan deaths push heatstroke toll to 219". Times of India. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Indian heatwave kills dozens over summer, media says nearly 25,000 fall ill". Reuters. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "India's deadly heat kills over 200 people, including dozens of poll workers as elections wrap up". The Independent. 3 June 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Mufti, Ifrah (29 May 2024). "Delhi records highest-ever temperature of 52.9 Celsius, IMD issues red alert for Wednesday". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "Heatwave alert: These Indian cities surpass 50 degrees Celsius in 2024". The Times of India. 30 May 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ Stuti Mishra (21 June 2024). "Rise in night temperatures amid relentless heatwave leaves India sleepless". The Independent. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Patel, Shivam; Agarwala, Tora (19 June 2024). "India reports over 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases over summer". Reuters. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ Zargar, Arshad R. (3 June 2024). "At least 50 deaths blamed on India heat wave in just a week as record temperatures scorch the country - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Dhoot, Vikas (3 June 2024). "Heatwave and poll effects drag factory output, new orders to 3-month low in May". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Dhillon, Amrit (18 June 2024). "Indian engineers warn of prolonged blackouts amid searing heatwave". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 June 2024.