India faces its longest heat wave ever

11 Jun 2024 CW Team

Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the head of India's Meteorological Department (IMD), stated in an interview with the Indian Express daily that the ongoing spell of heat has been the longest, having been experienced for about 24 days across different parts of the country. He anticipated a decline in temperatures as the annual monsoon rains progress northward this month. However, Mohapatra cautioned that if precautionary or preventive measures are not taken, heatwaves will become more frequent, enduring, and intense.

Mohapatra noted that India, being the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has pledged to transition to a net-zero emissions economy by 2070, following the lead of most industrialised Western nations by two decades. Presently, the country heavily relies on coal for power generation. He attributed the escalating concentration of carbon monoxide, methane, and chlorocarbons to human activities, population growth, industrialization, and transportation mechanisms, emphasising the threat posed not only to the present generation but also to future ones.

According to scientific research, climate change is exacerbating heatwaves, making them longer, more frequent, and more intense. The recent heatwave in New Delhi matched the capital's previous record high temperature of 49.2°C (120.5°F) recorded in 2022.

As people sought relief from the sweltering conditions, the electricity grid struggled under a record peak power demand of 8,302 megawatts. On May 29, an automatic weather station in the Delhi suburb of Mungeshpur reported a high temperature of 52.9°C (127.2°F), although it was later revealed to be the result of a faulty sensor. Mohapatra explained that an expert committee was formed to investigate, which discovered issues with the sensor after examining readings for the subsequent two days. Mohapatra further mentioned that while the automatic weather stations are inspected every six months, disruptions caused by birds or monkeys could occur in between.

The chief meteorologist for the government declared that the current heatwave in India is the longest it has ever been, but he also issued a warning that the country's temperatures will continue to rise. Since mid-May, a heatwave has engulfed parts of northern India, with temperatures rising to over 45 degrees Celsius.Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the head of India's Meteorological Department (IMD), stated in an interview with the Indian Express daily that the ongoing spell of heat has been the longest, having been experienced for about 24 days across different parts of the country. He anticipated a decline in temperatures as the annual monsoon rains progress northward this month. However, Mohapatra cautioned that if precautionary or preventive measures are not taken, heatwaves will become more frequent, enduring, and intense.Mohapatra noted that India, being the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has pledged to transition to a net-zero emissions economy by 2070, following the lead of most industrialised Western nations by two decades. Presently, the country heavily relies on coal for power generation. He attributed the escalating concentration of carbon monoxide, methane, and chlorocarbons to human activities, population growth, industrialization, and transportation mechanisms, emphasising the threat posed not only to the present generation but also to future ones.According to scientific research, climate change is exacerbating heatwaves, making them longer, more frequent, and more intense. The recent heatwave in New Delhi matched the capital's previous record high temperature of 49.2°C (120.5°F) recorded in 2022.As people sought relief from the sweltering conditions, the electricity grid struggled under a record peak power demand of 8,302 megawatts. On May 29, an automatic weather station in the Delhi suburb of Mungeshpur reported a high temperature of 52.9°C (127.2°F), although it was later revealed to be the result of a faulty sensor. Mohapatra explained that an expert committee was formed to investigate, which discovered issues with the sensor after examining readings for the subsequent two days. Mohapatra further mentioned that while the automatic weather stations are inspected every six months, disruptions caused by birds or monkeys could occur in between.

Infrastructure Urban

10 Mar 2026

ABB to Invest Rs 6.25 Billion to Expand India Manufacturing

ABB recently announced plans to invest approximately Rs 6.25 billion ($75 million) in India during 2026 to expand its manufacturing footprint and research and development capabilities. The investment follows more than $35 million spent in 2025 and reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening its ‘local-for-local’ strategy in the country.The investment will support ABB’s Electrification, Motion and Automation businesses and expand manufacturing capacity for infrastructure sectors such as renewable energy, metro rail, data centres and industrial applications. Approximately 300..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

Six WOLFF Cranes Handle 60,000 m³ Concrete for German Hospital

Six WOLFF tower cranes are playing a key role in constructing a new hospital complex in Memmingen, Germany, supporting large-scale material handling for the project. The facility is being built on a 7.7-hectare site and will feature six floors, around 480 beds and a gross floor area exceeding 75,000 sq m.Building shell works began recently in February 2025. One WOLFF 6531.12 Cross crane supported early site preparation before being dismantled in autumn 2025, while five remaining cranes continue operations. Over an average deployment period of 16 months, the cranes are expected to move approxim..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

REC Funds Rs 115.6 Million CSR Support for Bihar Eye Hospital

REC recently committed Rs 115.6 million under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for the procurement of clinical and non-clinical equipment at Sankara Eye Hospital in Saharsa, Bihar. The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised eye care services in the region.A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was recently signed between Pradeep Fellows, Executive Director (CSR), REC Limited, and Wg Cdr V. Shankar (Retd), Trustee and Executive Director of Sankara Eye Hospital, at the REC office in the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi.The support is expecte..