Capital city Delhi has been sizzling with extreme temperatures for the last 4 days. Mercury has remained above 40°C since 13th May. In the last 2 days, the maximum temperature has exceeded 44°C, the first time in this season. The highest maximum of 44.4°C was recorded on 19th May, at Safdarjung, an official observatory of Delhi. Searing heat is likely on the polling day, 25th May 2024.
Heat alert is already in vogue for Delhi till Friday and is extendable till the month end. Mercury may breach 45°C, anytime soon, even before the polling day. There is a slight change in the wind pattern over and around the capital city. There is an east-west trough, albeit dry and not associated with any weather, running from North Rajasthan to Southwest Uttar Pradesh, across Haryana and Delhi. It has reversed the wind pattern for Delhi, from westerly to northeasterly, today. A similar situation may prevail for the next 3 days. The change in the winds may arrest any further rise of temperature during the next three days. Therefore, the conditions may not worsen during this period.
Heatwave conditions will prevail over most parts of Delhi/NCR, with temperatures above normal by 3-5°C. The temperature may rise to >/= 45°C, on the polling day. The Election Commission of India has made innumerable arrangements to fight the heat and mitigate its effect, to the extent possible. The preparations are ‘on’ to provide respite to the voters at all 2627 polling booths in the capital. Air coolers/mist fans, cold drinking water, shaded waiting areas, decent medical care, and provision of wheelchairs are some of the measures, likely to be in place. The polling will take place between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Despite all the arrangements, keeping fingers crossed that the oppressive heat should not become a deterrent for the common man, to cast their vote.
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