Temperatures soared to a searing 50 degrees Celsius in Rajasthan’s Phalodi on Sunday, as a brutal heatwave swept through large parts of India, testing the endurance of millions, including those who stepped out to vote in the sixth phase of the ongoing general elections. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), 50 degrees Celsius is the highest temperature recorded in the country since June 1, 2019, when Churu, also in Rajasthan, logged a scorching 50.8 degrees Celsius.

Phalodi hit India’s all-time high temperature of 51 degrees Celsius on May 19, 2016. The extreme heat affected not only the northern plains and central regions of the country but also the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Thousands of voters faced scorching temperatures as they stepped out to vote in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, held in 58 seats across eight states and Union territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and the national capital. Many stood in long queues without shade for extended periods. In some places, polling booths lacked water, coolers, and chairs for the elderly, exacerbating the impact of the heat.