Peak demand for power in India’s hot, arid northern plains hit a record on Monday, the government said as it continues to implement measures to meet high energy consumption, although the weeks’ long heatwave is forecast to abate soon.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal temperatures for June in the northwest and central parts of the country, making it one of the longest heatwave spells.
Government data shows that there were nearly 25,000 cases of suspected heat stroke and 56 people lost their lives in the sweltering heat across the country from March-May.
India’s power ministry said demand for power at the peak time on Monday reached 89 gigawatt (GW), the highest ever for the northern region, adding that the strong demand, which has prevailed since May 17, was “challenging”.
The temperature in the national capital Delhi was about 44C late Monday afternoon but the IMD said it felt like 49.2C. In Delhi, which is facing a water shortage, the highest daily temperatures have stayed above 40C since May 12 and are forecast to fall below that mark only on June 26.
A man wears a scarf as he walks past the India Gate on a hot summer day in New Delhi yesterday
