Delhi’s ‘record’ 52.9° Celsius temperature was wrong by 3 degrees

 On 29th May 2024, Mungeshpur's AWS reported a temperature of 52.9°C, our @Indiametdept team quickly investigated and found a 3°C sensor error. Corrective measures are now in place. 

Thanks to our brilliant scientists for their relentless dedication as together, we're making sure you get the most accurate weather information.--- tweeted Earth Science Minister Kiren Rijiju.

A record temperature registered this week for the capital New Delhi of 52.9 degrees Celsius was too high by three °C, the Indian government said on Saturday, blaming a weather sensor error.

The IMD said in a statement that the maximum temperature reported by the Mungeshpur weather station “is not correct due to malfunctioning of the sensor”. However, the city’s record for heat still appears to have been broken.

Two weather stations in the capital reported temperatures of 49°C and 49.1°C for Wednesday. The IMD said these two stations had been checked and it did not report any sensor errors. 

The highest temperature previously recorded in New Delhi was 48.4°C in May 1998, the draft IMD report said.

Severe heat has been scorching parts of India for days. At least 33 people, including election officials on duty, died of suspected heatstroke in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the north, and Odisha in the east on Friday.