New Delhi: Delhi continues to toil under extreme heat after it recorded a maximum temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. The national capital recorded its highest-ever temperature exceeding the 49.9 degrees Celcius that was recorded on Tuesday.

Delhi Records Hottest-Ever Day

Mungeshpur in Delhi recorded the country's hottest-ever day with 52.3 degrees Celsius at 2.30 pm on Wednesday.

Painting a grim picture for the coming days, the IMD had predicted 'heat wave to severe heat wave conditions at most places over Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, at many places over Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.'

The national capital on Wednesday morning recorded a minimum temperature of 29.4 degrees Celsius, 2.8 notches above the season's normal, the IMD said.

Kiren Rijiju Raises Doubt

Speaking about Delhi touching 52.3 degrees Celsius, Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju took to X and said, “It is not official yet. Temperature of 52.3°C in Delhi is very unlikely. Our senior officials in IMD have been asked to verify the news report. The official position will be stated soon.”

IMD Issues Warning

Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions will prevail over most parts of Delhi, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its weather forecast warnings.

The humidity level was 43 per cent at 8.30 am. The maximum temperature is likely to cross 46 degrees Celsius in many parts of the city.

On Tuesday, the national capital saw blistering heat as parts of Delhi singed, with temperatures soaring close to 50 degrees Celsius.

Heatwave conditions are expected to persist in Delhi for the next few days, according to the IMD.

The weather department has urged people to take "extreme care for vulnerable people" due to the heatwave.

Due to the rising temperature, there is a very high likelihood of developing heat-related illness and heat stroke in people of all ages, and a significant health concern for vulnerable individuals such as infants, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases.

The IMD has advised people to avoid exposure to heat and dehydration. 

Rs 2000 Fine Amid Water Crisis As Delhi Swelters

A fine of Rs 2,000 will be imposed on water-wasting activities like washing vehicles with a hose and using domestic water supply for construction and commercial purposes, the Delhi government said on Wednesday.

The national capital is facing water shortage due to unprecedented summer heat with temperatures hovering around the 50 degrees Celsius mark in parts of the city.

Water minister Atishi has directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to deploy 200 teams across the city to prevent water-wasting activities like car washing with a hose, overflowing water tanks, and use of domestic water supply for construction and commercial purposes.

In a note to the DJB's Chief Executive Officer, Atishi said," These teams will be deployed from 8 am on Thursday and impose fines on anyone found wasting water. These teams will disconnect any illegal water connections at construction sites or commercial establishments." The minister said intense heatwave conditions are prevailing in the national capital and there is a shortage of water supply since Haryana is not releasing Delhi's share of water.

"Under these circumstances, conservation of water becomes extremely important. However, it has been seen that there is serious wastage of water in many parts of Delhi," she said.

Crackdown on Misuse of Water

Also, there are illegal connections of domestic supply at construction sites and commercial establishments, the minister said, adding that there is a need to crack down on such misuse of water.

In a post on X, she informed about the crackdown on wastage of water in the coming days, saying illegal connections of domestic supply at construction sites and commercial establishments will be disconnected.

Delhi Govt Adopts Slew of Measures 

Atishi on Tuesday accused Haryana of not releasing the city's share of water since May 1 and said the Delhi government will be implementing a slew of measures including rationalising the supply of water in the national capital.

She said the Delhi government may approach the Supreme Court if the supply of Yamuna water to the city does not improve in the coming days.

"The water level at Wazirabad was 674.5 feet on May 1. This is the average level that should be maintained. Last year in April, May, and June, the minimum level was maintained at 674.5 feet," Atishi said on Tuesday.

Sharing data, the minister said till May 8, the water level at Wazirabad came down to 672 feet and by May 20 it was at 671 feet. On Tuesday, it declined further to 669.8 feet, she said. 

(with PTI inputs)