Amid 'red alert', Delhi may witness hottest poll day
Delhi is bracing for its hottest polling day ever, with temperatures expected to exceed 47 degrees Celsius, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD has issued a "red alert" warning of severe heatwave conditions in the coming days. The national capital will go to polls in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 25. On Sunday, Najafgarh area in southwest Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 47.8 degrees Celsius—marking this summer's highest temperature so far.
ECI ensures heatwave precautions at polling booths
The Election Commission of India has confirmed that necessary arrangements are in place at the 2,627 polling booths across Delhi to help voters manage the heat. "IMD has predicted that heat wave is likely to be more intense. We have asked our officers to set up coolers, fans, and cold drinking water facilities at the polling station," Delhi Chief Electoral Officer P Krishnamurthy said. The IMD is also maintaining regular contact with the poll body to provide timely weather forecasts.
IMD issues heatwave warning
The IMD has urged "extreme care for vulnerable people" due to the heatwave, cautioning that infants, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases are particularly susceptible to heat stroke or heat-related illnesses. The department's threshold for a heatwave is when the maximum temperature reaches 40°C in plains, 30°C in hilly areas, 37°C in coastal areas and when there is a departure from normal maximum temperatures by at least 4.5 degrees.
Heatwave may impact voter turnout, analyst predicts
The intense heatwave could potentially affect voter turnout. In previous elections, voting percentages ranged from 60.6% to 65.1%. However, political analyst Chandrachur Singh predicts that this year's voting percentage in Delhi will not cross 60% due to weather conditions and other factors such as unclear anti-incumbency or pro-incumbency trends.
Measures to mitigate heatwave impact at polling booths
The chief electoral officer of Delhi directed all stakeholders to take steps to mitigate the impact of the heatwave at polling booths. Vishwas Chitale, senior program lead at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), advised people venturing out to carry an umbrella or a sun cap and sunglasses, carry sufficient drinking water, and avoid exposure to outdoor environments for longer hours due to the recent heatwave forecast by the IMD.
