Delhi experienced a severe heatwave in late May 2024 with "real feel" temperatures reported to have crossed 50 °C [2].
These conditions create dangerous heat-stress environments for residents, as the combination of high heat and humidity prevents the body from cooling itself effectively.
While the actual recorded temperature was 43.5 °C [3], the perceived temperature was significantly higher. One report stated the real feel temperature hit 48.5 °C [1]. Other weather data indicated the feels-like temperature exceeded 50 °C [2].
Weather officials attributed this discrepancy to high humidity levels, which ranged between 44% and 74% [1]. This moisture in the air amplified the heat, making the environment feel more oppressive than the thermometer indicated.
For several weeks, the Indian capital has battled a severe heatwave, with temperatures routinely rising above 40 °C, said a reporter for Yahoo News [3]. The persistence of these temperatures has placed a continuous strain on the city's infrastructure and public health.
Relief was expected to arrive starting on a Thursday, with possible rain continuing through Saturday [2]. These precipitation events typically provide a necessary break from the intense heat and help lower the ambient temperature.
"The real feel temperature hit 48.5 °C, driven by humidity levels between 44% and 74%," said a reporter for Yahoo News [1].
“The real feel temperature hit 48.5 °C, driven by humidity levels between 44% and 74%.”
The gap between actual temperature and 'real feel' temperature highlights the danger of the heat index. When humidity is high, sweat cannot evaporate from the skin, which is the primary way the human body cools itself. This makes temperatures that are already high, such as 43.5 °C, potentially lethal, as the body's internal temperature rises more quickly than it would in a dry environment.
