Major cities in North India, including the national capital Delhi, are witnessing a severe heatwave condition, with the maximum t
emperatures hovering around the 50 degrees Celsius mark.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that the maximum temperature in Delhi-NCR varied from 45.2 to 49.1 degrees Celsius.
However, in Mungeshpur, around 50 km north of the city centre, the mercury reached 52.9 degrees Celsius.
“It could be due to an error in the sensor or the local factor. IMD is examining the data and sensors,” the weather department noted.
For Thursday, May 30, the IMD has predicted heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in parts of
Delhi and gradual reduction thereafter with heatwave conditions in isolated pockets till June 1.
While experts have attributed heatwaves from Rajasthan as a key contributing factor to the extreme weather conditions in Delhi, there certainly are many other reasons behind the same. Here we try to understand some of them.
'Uneven' green cover Experts have often pointed out how green cover can play a major role in reducing the urban heat island effect. An analysis of official data from the forest department shows that
Delhi at present has a green cover of 23%, while it should be at least 33%.
However, this green cover area is unevenly spread in parts of the national capital. For example, in the New Delhi area, it is 47%, while in South Delhi it is 34.30%.
On the other hand, it is merely 3.90% in North-West Delhi, 5.30% in West Delhi and 6.10% in East Delhi, as per reports.
This uneven coverage leaves areas like Mungeshpur and Narela -- where the green cover is estimated at 7.7% -- reeling in persistent heatwaves.
“Vegetation certainly plays a role in controlling the ambient heat and 33% is the standard green cover suggested,” The Times of India quoted AS Rawat, former director general of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, as saying.
Wetlands 'on paper' Delhi has a total of 1,045 waterbodies, according to the data shared by the Delhi Wetland Authority, which is the state body created to protect the natural water bodies in the national capital.
However, a recent report in The Print highlighted how many of these wetlands exist only on paper. “Some have become victims to garbage dumping and poor maintenance, others have been encroached, in most cases by government agencies,” the report states.
In April earlier this year, the Delhi High Court asked the government to ensure all the wetlands are appraised for maintenance by 2024 end.
Besides them, there are several other issues like vehicular emission control measures, urban planning and waste management which play key roles in keeping mercury high.
