Why Delhi feels hotter than what temperatures show

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Why Delhi feels hotter than what temperatures show57 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleGeeta PandeyBBC Correspondent, DelhiGreenpeace IndiaThe thermal camera recorded temperatures above 60C in parts of Delhi For several weeks now, the Indian capital, Delhi, has been battling a severe heatwave, with temperatures routinely rising above 40C. The real feel, the weather apps helpfully tell us, is always a few degrees higher. But how hot do you feel when you hit the streets?

On Tuesday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded the maximum day temperature at 43. But we spent the day out on the city streets with a thermal camera deployed by Greenpeace India which recorded surface temperatures of up to 64C in some places. The comparison is not like-for-like.

The Details

The IMD's official data reflects the temperature of the city air measured under standard conditions, while thermal cameras record the temperature of surfaces. On hot days, roads, concrete, vehicles and other exposed surfaces can become substantially hotter than the air around them. High surface temperatures increase the heat absorbed by the human body through radiation and can make urban areas feel considerably hotter than the official temperature, particularly where there is little shade or vegetation.

Our first stop was just after mid-day at the IIT flyover in south Delhi, one of the busiest traffic junctions in the city. Hundreds of thousands of vehicles pass this crossing daily and, in peak traffic, wait time can sometimes stretch up to 10 minutes. As Greenpeace researcher Nibedita Saha moved her camera from the shaded areas under the flyover (where the reading was 42C) to the bikers idling at stop signals under the direct sunlight, the reading went up to 64C.

The surface temperature of the spot where we stood was 61C - it fell to 39. 8C when we moved less than 10ft away to stand under a tree. Greenpeace India researcher Nibedita Saha demonstrates how she uses the thermal imaging camera"Consistent exposure to such high temperatures can cause major health issues," says Nibedita, adding that sometimes, moving just a few feet can help.

What Experts Say

"We got instant relief. That's the difference just one tree can make. "Dr A Fathahudeen, a pulmonologist, says that the core human body temperature is 37C and prolonged exposure to high heat can make it rise.

"When it exceeds 40C, the body ceases to work normally. The most common symptom is heat exhaustion. People become extremely sweaty, complain of headaches and fatigue," he said, adding that in more serious cases, people can become confused and dazed and even have seizures.

"If not treated urgently, they can have multiple organ failures, leading to death," he said. To stay safe during a heatwave, Dr Fathahudeen's advice to people is to keep drinking water even when not thirsty, wear loose, light-coloured clothing and use an umbrella.

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