The heat record in India earlier this week appears to be incorrect. The temperature was not 52.9 degrees in New Delhi last Wednesday, but 49.1 degrees. According to the Indian government, there was a malfunctioning sensor at the meteorological station.

The measurement taken earlier this week was so high that meteorologists were already wondering if the measuring equipment was correct. The Indian Meteorological Service (IMD) immediately launched an investigation into the measurement on Wednesday, as it was found to be much higher than the measurements of surrounding weather stations.

Science Minister Kiren Rijiju said the official temperature has now been corrected. According to Rijiju, “corrective measures” have also been taken so that the measuring devices work properly again.

Rijiju initially reported the 52.3 degree measurement on Wednesday, but soon after that the IMD released it a permit Outside it was 52.9 degrees. In this statement, the IMD also questioned the high measurement.

The temperature of 49.1 degrees is still a record for the capital, New Delhi, but not for the whole of India. In 2016, the temperature was 51 degrees in the desert of Rajasthan. In New Delhi, the old record was 48.4 degrees. That was in 1998.

It has been extremely hot in India for weeks. Dozens of people died due to the heat. Energy consumption is also very high, because people seek cooling, for example, by turning on air conditioners and fans. According to the national grid operator, there was an occasional power shortage in certain places in the evening due to a lack of solar power. The demand can be fulfilled during the day.