Union Minister Kiren Rijiju announced on Saturday that the extreme temperature reading of 52.9 degrees Celsius at a Delhi weather station on May 29 was the result of a malfunctioning sensor.

Posting on X, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences detailed that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) conducted an investigation into the Mungeshpur weather station, which had reported the city's highest recorded temperature. The investigation uncovered a 3-degree Celsius error in the station's sensor.

"On May 29, 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," Rijiju wrote on X.

Earlier in the week, IMD officials had suggested that the extraordinary temperature reading might have been due to a sensor fault or other local factors.

This update comes amid a severe heatwave affecting northern India, with several states experiencing temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius.

The intense heat has also led to a spike in Delhi's power demand, which reached a record high of 8,302 megawatts (MW) on Wednesday afternoon. In response to the ongoing water crisis exacerbated by the heat, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) announced a Rs 2,000 fine for anyone found wasting water.