• Source:JND
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The country's national capital is getting hotter every year. Not only is the temperature rising, but the number of such areas (heat islands) where the temperature is higher than the average temperature of Delhi, is also increasing. A study report by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed that during the last ten years, the average temperature of Delhi has also increased by seven degrees.

According to this report, the average temperature in May 2014 was between 30-33 degrees Celsius. There were only a few areas where the temperature was 33.1 to 34.0 degrees Celsius. Most of these were the outskirts of North and South West Delhi. But in 2022, the temperature of most areas of Delhi was above 40 degrees Celsius. The temperature in only a few areas of East and Central Delhi remained between 36-40 degrees Celsius.

The Air In Concrete Areas Is Completely Dry

Mapping done on the basis of satellite data showed that the increase in the average temperature of Delhi started in 1998, but it increased rapidly since 2014. There has been a difference of seven degrees in the temperature in a decade. According to the experts, the areas that are hotter than normal are also directly affecting the local weather. Hot areas receive relatively less rainfall, while green areas receive more. The reason is that green areas absorb the moisture from the air, while the air in concrete areas remains completely dry.

Meanwhile, this year, higher temperatures are being recorded in areas of outer Delhi like Najafgarh, Mungeshpur, and Jafarpur. This is because at this time the crops have been harvested and there is comparatively no greenery. These densely populated areas are also rocky. Due to its combined effect, the temperature here is much higher than the rest of Delhi.

According to CSE report, such hot areas increase every two years

2014: Bawana, North Delhi.

2016: Najafgarh, Rohini, Rajouri Garden, Narela and other areas.

2018: Sangam Vihar, Badarpur, Jaitpur, Palam, IGI Airport.

2022: Jaffarpur, Chhattarpur, Mungeshpur, Mundka, Shahdara.

2024: Lodhi Road, The Ridge, Pusa, Rajghat.

In all these areas the temperature is high in the morning and evening. The biggest reason for this is changing the way land is being used. More and more concrete is being laid. Due to this the sun rays do not get much spread, causing more heat in that area. Not only this, water bodies are rapidly decreasing or depleting. In such a situation, hot areas are increasing. People are getting troubled more than before due to the heat and humidity.

Why There's An Increase In Hot Areas

According to CSE, the biggest reason is the increase in construction sites. Besides this, dense settlements, more vehicles, increase in the number of residential and commercial complexes have led to an increase in temperature, an increase in the amount of pollutants and also increase in the level of ozone near the ground.