Delhi sizzles at 42.3°C as peak power demand hits season’s high

On the day Delhi recorded its highest power demand of the season, the city reeled under intense heat, with the maximum temperature touching 42.3°C, prompting the government to step up heatwave mitigation measures.Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government has issued directions under the Heat Wave Action Plan to minimise public discomfort, with a special focus on workers and schoolchildren.

Through the Labour Department, all employers have been directed to ensure that workers are not made to work under direct sunlight between 1 pm and 4 pm, and get adequate rest.

Employers have also been tasked with arranging drinking water, shaded areas and other essential facilities at workplaces.

For schools, the Chief Minister said the safety of children remains the priority. Institutions have been instructed to ensure proper arrangements for drinking water, fans and protection from heat. “Every child must be given ORS solution before leaving school so that they get relief from the heat while returning home,” she said.

The Chief Minister also announced measures to provide relief to commuters, including the availability of cold drinking water in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses through cold boxes. Water counters will also be set up near bus shelters to provide chilled water and ORS free of cost.

Gupta added that key departments, including fire, power and water, have been put on alert to ensure uninterrupted services. “All water resources will be kept fully operational, and departments are working in coordination to ensure that people face minimum inconvenience,” she said, adding that the government is fully prepared to tackle the heatwave.

Meanwhile, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL) successfully met the peak power demand of 2,030 MW on Monday, the highest so far this summer. The utility, which supplies electricity to around 9 million residents in North and Northwest Delhi, expects the peak load to reach 2,622 MW this season and has made arrangements of up to 2,900 MW.

The company said it had secured power through bilateral agreements, reserve shutdown mechanisms and participation in power exchanges to ensure supply reliability. Its Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) facility at Rohini will also support uninterrupted supply during exigencies.

Tata Power-DDL is sourcing around 1,115 MW from green energy, including 400 MW solar, 477 MW hydro, 50 MW wind, 152 MW rooftop solar, 21 MW from waste-to-energy plants and 15 MW through BESS.

Relief likely midweek as rain forecast

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heatwave on Tuesday, with temperatures likely to hover around 42°C (maximum) and 27°C (minimum). IMD has also predicted thunderstorm and rain for the day.

A yellow alert has been issued for Wednesday, with thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong surface winds expected during the forenoon, afternoon and evening hours. The temperature is likely to dip slightly to around 40°C and 26°C.

Further relief is expected on Thursday, when the maximum temperature may fall to 38°C and the minimum to 24°C, with partly cloudy skies likely to prevail.