Ghaziabad: Panic gripped Officer City 2 society in Raj Nagar Extension on Wednesday morning when a washing machine caught fire due to intense heat. The incident occurred when a short circuit caused a washing machine, placed on a balcony, to catch fire. The flames engulfed the washing machine, reducing it to ashes and causing widespread panic among residents.

The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral on social media, showing the severity of the situation and the desperate efforts to contain it. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, but the incident has raised concerns about electrical safety and the risks posed by extreme heat.

Local authorities have urged residents to be cautious with electrical appliances, especially during hot weather, and to ensure they are not exposed to direct sunlight or high temperatures. The society's management is also taking steps to increase awareness and prevent such incidents in the future.

Heatwave in North India

Large parts of northern and central India were in the grip of extreme heatwave conditions on Tuesday with the mercury crossing 50 degrees Celsius in Rajasthan's Churu and Haryana's Sirsa and settling nine notches above normal in Delhi. At least three weather stations in Delhi recorded maximum temperatures of 49 degrees Celsius or more. Mungeshpur and Narela in Delhi clocked 49.9 degrees followed by Najafgarh at 49.8 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

This was the highest maximum temperature recorded in the capital this season. However, Mungeshpur and Narela weather stations came up in 2022 and have records only for the last three years. The IMD said respite from the heatwave conditions could be in sight after May 30.