JAIPUR
This year's heat wave has already been dubbed as one of the most intense ever. And the temperature readings in Rajasthan's Phalodi have shattered all previous records.
The temperature in the small city, located in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, crossed the 50-degree mark and settled at a sizzling 51 degrees Celsius -- or 123.8 degrees Fahrenheit -- on Thursday.
Another traditional hot spot of the country, Churu, made history as the mercury touched 50.2°C, which is a notch higher than the 1914 record of slightly less than 50.
The tourist destination of Jodhpur too broke its record with 48.8°C. The previous highest was 47.4°C on May 29, 1994. Bikaner broke its 102-year-old record of 49.4 degrees recorded on May 28, 1914. It was 49.5 on Thursday. The western fort city of Jaisalmer in the middle of Thar desert sizzled at 49 degrees, upstaging an eight-year-old record.
The capital city of Jaipur was slightly better than many other towns with maximum temperature being been 46.5 degrees Celsius.
People in Rajasthan are used to high summer temperatures but this year has been unusually hot. The heatwave has prompted the state to initiate drastic measures.
The Bikaner district authorities ordered sprinkling of water in select public places while a water train carrying 25 lakh litres was off to parched Bhilwara.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that the heatwave will be at its severest in the next couple of days, raising the alert level to the highest “red”. This means the temperature will nudge 47 degree Celsius in several cities, including Delhi.
The warning came amidst searing temperatures across north, west and central India, pushing the mercury past 47 degrees Celsius in some parts of the National Capital Region on Thursday. The IMD asked people to take precautions against the heatwave.
“We advise people to stay cautious against the heat wave in Delhi,” a Met official said. Doctors advised people to take lot of fluids and avoid getting out in the sun between 11 am and 4 pm to avoid heatstroke.
