Delhi Heatwave: It’s only April but North India’s already asking for rain | Delhi News – The Times of India
NEW DELHI: A searing heatwave swept through large parts of western and central India on Tuesday, with Barmer in Rajasthan recording a scorching 46.4°C — the highest temperature in the country.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), 27 weather stations across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh reported maximum temperatures of 43°C or above, with at least 19 locations witnessing heatwave to severe heatwave conditions.
In Delhi, heatwave conditions were recorded at the Safdarjung Observatory, which registered 41°C, and at Ayanagar, which logged 40.4°C.
Barmer, the worst affected, saw temperatures soar 7.6°C above normal. Other parts of Rajasthan also experienced extreme heat, including Jaisalmer (45°C), Chittorgarh (44.5°C), Bikaner (44.4°C), and Sri Ganganagar (44.2°C) — all 7 to 9 degrees above seasonal averages.
In Gujarat, Surendranagar recorded 44.8°C, Rajkot 44°C, Amreli 43.8°C, while Mahuva and Kandla touched 43.4°C. Mahuva saw an 8.3°C spike above normal.
Maharashtra cities like Akola (44.1°C), Nandurbar (43.5°C), Jalgaon (43.3°C), and Amravati (43°C) also reeled under intense heat. In Madhya Pradesh, Guna and Ratlam reported 43.4°C and 43.2°C, respectively.
The IMD forecast relief from the heatwave in northwest India starting April 10 and in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh from April 11.
A heatwave is declared when maximum temperatures reach at least 40°C in the plains, 37°C in coastal areas, or 30°C in hilly regions, with a deviation of 4.5°C to 6.4°C above normal.
A severe heatwave is declared if the departure exceeds 6.5°C. Alternatively, temperatures of 45°C and above qualify as a heatwave, while 47°C and above indicate a severe heatwave regardless of deviation from normal.
Earlier this month, the IMD had warned of above-normal temperatures for April to June, with more heatwave days expected across central and eastern India and the northwestern plains.
The year 2024 is already the warmest on record, both in India and globally. This year’s heatwave conditions began unusually early, with the first instances reported on February 27–28. The first official heatwave of the year was declared on April 5.
Although heatwaves are typical in April and May, scientists warn that climate change is intensifying both their frequency and severity. This puts vulnerable populations at higher risk — especially outdoor workers and low-income households with limited access to cooling and water.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 1,66,000 people died due to heatwaves between 1998 and 2017. In India, 3,812 heatwave-related deaths were reported between 2015 and 2022, with Andhra Pradesh alone accounting for 2,419.
A 2022 study warned that India could face a tenfold increase in heatwave risk this century, with over 70% of its land area potentially exposed to extreme heat.
Soaring Temperatures Trigger Surge in Power Demand
India’s electricity demand during the peak heatwave months of April–June 2024 jumped by 10.4% compared to the same period last year, largely due to a spike in air conditioner usage. According to Ember’s Global Electricity Review, heatwaves were responsible for nearly one-fifth of the global increase in power demand and led to a 1.4% rise in fossil fuel-based power generation — pushing global power sector emissions to a record 14.6 billion tonnes, an increase of 223 million tonnes of CO2.
The report noted that without heat-driven demand, fossil fuel generation would have risen by just 0.2%, as clean energy met 96% of the non-heat-related demand increase globally.
In India, overall electricity demand between April and September 2024 was 6.1% higher than in the same period in 2023, with about 19% of this rise attributed to elevated temperatures. During April to June alone, demand surged by 10.8% year-on-year.
Air conditioning alone accounted for nearly 30% of the year-on-year demand growth. In May, cooling needs contributed to over one-third of the total increase.
India’s total electricity demand rose by 5% in 2024. Of the additional demand, clean energy met 33%, while coal contributed 64% — down from 91% in 2023.
With both economic growth and rising temperatures driving demand, India is expected to add 130–150 million new room air conditioners over the next decade. This could increase peak electricity demand by over 180 gigawatts by 2035, placing significant strain on the national grid.
The share of household electricity consumption rose from 22% in 2012–13 to 25% in 2022–23, a trend experts link to rising incomes and increased need for cooling.
According to the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development, India is projected to have the highest population-based cooling demand in a world that is 2°C warmer — ahead of countries like China, Nigeria, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, the Philippines, and the United States.
NEW DELHI: A searing heatwave swept through large parts of western and central India on Tuesday, with Barmer in Rajasthan recording a scorching 46.4°C — the highest temperature in the country.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), 27 weather stations across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh reported maximum temperatures of 43°C or above, with at least 19 locations witnessing heatwave to severe heatwave conditions.
In Delhi, heatwave conditions were recorded at the Safdarjung Observatory, which registered 41°C, and at Ayanagar, which logged 40.4°C.
Barmer, the worst affected, saw temperatures soar 7.6°C above normal. Other parts of Rajasthan also experienced extreme heat, including Jaisalmer (45°C), Chittorgarh (44.5°C), Bikaner (44.4°C), and Sri Ganganagar (44.2°C) — all 7 to 9 degrees above seasonal averages.
In Gujarat, Surendranagar recorded 44.8°C, Rajkot 44°C, Amreli 43.8°C, while Mahuva and Kandla touched 43.4°C. Mahuva saw an 8.3°C spike above normal.
Maharashtra cities like Akola (44.1°C), Nandurbar (43.5°C), Jalgaon (43.3°C), and Amravati (43°C) also reeled under intense heat. In Madhya Pradesh, Guna and Ratlam reported 43.4°C and 43.2°C, respectively.
The IMD forecast relief from the heatwave in northwest India starting April 10 and in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh from April 11.
A heatwave is declared when maximum temperatures reach at least 40°C in the plains, 37°C in coastal areas, or 30°C in hilly regions, with a deviation of 4.5°C to 6.4°C above normal.
A severe heatwave is declared if the departure exceeds 6.5°C. Alternatively, temperatures of 45°C and above qualify as a heatwave, while 47°C and above indicate a severe heatwave regardless of deviation from normal.
Earlier this month, the IMD had warned of above-normal temperatures for April to June, with more heatwave days expected across central and eastern India and the northwestern plains.
The year 2024 is already the warmest on record, both in India and globally. This year’s heatwave conditions began unusually early, with the first instances reported on February 27–28. The first official heatwave of the year was declared on April 5.
Although heatwaves are typical in April and May, scientists warn that climate change is intensifying both their frequency and severity. This puts vulnerable populations at higher risk — especially outdoor workers and low-income households with limited access to cooling and water.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 1,66,000 people died due to heatwaves between 1998 and 2017. In India, 3,812 heatwave-related deaths were reported between 2015 and 2022, with Andhra Pradesh alone accounting for 2,419.
A 2022 study warned that India could face a tenfold increase in heatwave risk this century, with over 70% of its land area potentially exposed to extreme heat.
Soaring Temperatures Trigger Surge in Power Demand
India’s electricity demand during the peak heatwave months of April–June 2024 jumped by 10.4% compared to the same period last year, largely due to a spike in air conditioner usage. According to Ember’s Global Electricity Review, heatwaves were responsible for nearly one-fifth of the global increase in power demand and led to a 1.4% rise in fossil fuel-based power generation — pushing global power sector emissions to a record 14.6 billion tonnes, an increase of 223 million tonnes of CO2.
The report noted that without heat-driven demand, fossil fuel generation would have risen by just 0.2%, as clean energy met 96% of the non-heat-related demand increase globally.
In India, overall electricity demand between April and September 2024 was 6.1% higher than in the same period in 2023, with about 19% of this rise attributed to elevated temperatures. During April to June alone, demand surged by 10.8% year-on-year.
Air conditioning alone accounted for nearly 30% of the year-on-year demand growth. In May, cooling needs contributed to over one-third of the total increase.
India’s total electricity demand rose by 5% in 2024. Of the additional demand, clean energy met 33%, while coal contributed 64% — down from 91% in 2023.
With both economic growth and rising temperatures driving demand, India is expected to add 130–150 million new room air conditioners over the next decade. This could increase peak electricity demand by over 180 gigawatts by 2035, placing significant strain on the national grid.
The share of household electricity consumption rose from 22% in 2012–13 to 25% in 2022–23, a trend experts link to rising incomes and increased need for cooling.
According to the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development, India is projected to have the highest population-based cooling demand in a world that is 2°C warmer — ahead of countries like China, Nigeria, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, the Philippines, and the United States.
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