Large parts of northern and central India are currently experiencing severe heatwave conditions, with temperatures in some areas surpassing a scorching 50 degrees Celsius. Rajasthan's Churu and Haryana's Sirsa recorded temperatures of 50.5 and 50.3 degrees Celsius respectively, while Delhi saw temperatures soaring to nearly 50 degrees Celsius in multiple locations, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

On Tuesday, Mungeshpur and Narela in Delhi registered 49.9 degrees Celsius, with Najafgarh close behind at 49.8 degrees Celsius. This marked the highest temperature in Delhi this season, although the Mungeshpur and Narela weather stations have only been operational since 2022.

Relief from the intense heat might be on the horizon, with the IMD predicting a potential respite after May 30. A fresh western disturbance is expected to bring isolated rainfall over parts of northwest India by the weekend, potentially cooling the region.

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra attributed the heatwave to the absence of western disturbances in late May. These disturbances, which form over the Mediterranean Sea, usually help moderate temperatures by bringing cooler air and precipitation.

In a sign of hope, some districts in southern Rajasthan, such as Barmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Sirohi, and Jalore, reported a slight drop in temperatures due to moist winds from the Arabian Sea. This cooling trend is expected to extend northward, providing gradual relief from the heatwave.

The heatwave has led to extreme conditions in various regions. In addition to Rajasthan and Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh have been severely affected. Notably, Churu in Rajasthan was the hottest location in the country, recording a peak of 50.5 degrees Celsius.

The heatwave has also caused significant challenges, including advancing summer vacations in Haryana's schools due to the extreme temperatures. Power grids are under stress, and water shortages are becoming critical. The Central Water Commission reported that water storage in 150 major reservoirs across India had dropped to 24% of their live storage capacity, exacerbating the water crisis in several states and affecting hydropower generation.

In Maharashtra's drought-prone Marathwada region, the Jayakwadi dam's water stock fell to just 5.19% of its capacity, with an evaporation loss of 1.15 million cubic meters recorded in a single day due to the heat.

India's power demand has surged to 239.96 gigawatts, the highest so far this season, driven by widespread use of air conditioners and coolers. Experts warn that demand could reach record levels, surpassing the all-time high of 243.27 GW set in September 2023.

Severe heatwaves have plagued parts of India for three consecutive years, impacting public health, water availability, agriculture, power generation, and various other sectors. The current heatwave underscores the urgent need for adaptive measures to mitigate the effects of extreme weather conditions in the region.