Delhi's peak power demand touched a record 8,748 MW at 3:17 pm on Monday, the highest ever recorded in the capital's history, as soaring temperatures continued to drive electricity consumption.
According to the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), the new peak surpassed the previous all-time high of 8,656 MW, recorded on June 19, 2024. The latest milestone underscores the sharp rise in power demand amid the ongoing heatwave, ANI reported.
The record comes as the national capital continues to reel under intense heat, with both daytime and nighttime temperatures remaining well above normal.
Like Sunday, Delhiites woke up to another unusually warm morning on Monday, with the minimum temperature settling at 31.1 degrees Celsius, matching the previous day's reading — the warmest morning the city has witnessed in two years.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature was 3.2 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. The last time the city's minimum temperature was higher was on June 14, 2024, when it stood at 33.3 degrees Celsius.
The weather office has forecast the maximum temperature to hover around 41 degrees Celsius during the day. However, isolated thunderstorms accompanied by rain are likely, which could provide some respite from the prevailing heat.
At Safdarjung, Delhi's base weather station, the minimum temperature was recorded at 31.1 degrees Celsius. Other observatories also reported above-normal temperatures, with Lodhi Road recording 30.2 degrees Celsius (3.2 degrees above normal), Palam at 29.7 degrees Celsius (1.7 degrees above normal), Ayanagar at 29.4 degrees Celsius, and Ridge at 28.4 degrees Celsius.
The IMD said no rainfall was recorded at Safdarjung, Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge or Ayanagar during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Monday.
On Sunday, Delhi experienced scorching conditions, with maximum temperatures ranging between 41.8 degrees Celsius and 42.6 degrees Celsius across five observatories, 2.6 to 5.1 degrees above the seasonal average, according to IMD data.
Meanwhile, the capital's air quality remained in the 'Moderate' category on Monday morning. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 140.
According to the CPCB, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'Good', 51-100 is 'Satisfactory', 101-200 is 'Moderate', 201-300 is 'Poor', 301-400 is 'Very Poor', and 401-500 falls in the 'Severe' category.
