Heat wave continues; Chandrapur, Balangir sizzle at 44.2 deg C

 Sweltering heatwave conditions continued to prevail in several parts of India today as Chandrapur in Vidarbha and Balangir in Odisha recorded the country's maximum temperature at 44.2 degrees Celsius.

In the national capital, the mercury maintained an upward trend as the temperatures touched the 40 degrees Celsius mark in some parts.

The Safdarjung observatory registered a maximum temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius. The Palam observatory registered a high of 40.6 degrees Celsius, while the Lodhi Road recorded a maximum temperature of 39.8 degrees Celsius said a MeT department official.

The humidity levels oscillated between 71 per cent and 22 per cent.
Chandrapur in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra recorded a high of 44.2 degrees Celsius. Akola recorded a high of 43.6 degree Celsius and Wardha in Vidarbha region continued to sizzle at 43.8 degrees Celsius, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.

Malegaon in Nashik district experienced hot weather condition as the highest temperature stood at 43 degrees Celsius.

In Odisha, heatwave-like situation intensified in many parts of the state with the mercury soaring up to 44.2 degrees Celsius at Balangir, making it the hottest place in the state.

Sonepur recorded 43.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Hirakud at 42.9 degrees Celsius and Bhawanipatna 42.5 degrees Celsius, the MeT office said.

In Rajasthan, heatwave conditions prevailed in parts of the state, with Churu city remaining the hottest place recording a maximum temperature of 42 degrees Celsius followed by Kota at 41.6 degrees Celsius.

Heat wave to severe heatwave conditions were observed in western parts of the state, with Bikaner, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jaipur registering a maximum of 41.2 degrees Celsius, 41.4 degrees Celsius, 41 degrees Celsius, 40.4 degrees Celsius and 40.3 degrees respectively, the MeT said.

In Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad was the hottest with maximum temperature touching 43.2 degrees Celsius.

State capital Lucknow recorded a high of 41.8 degrees Celsius. Varanasi recorded maximum temperature of 42.5 degree Celsius. Sultanpur touched a high of 41.4 degrees Celsius, while in Rae Bareli it was 41 degrees Celsius.

Jhansi recorded a high of 41.7 degrees Celsius.In Haryana, Narnaul and Hisar continued to brave the hot weather as maximum temperature across the state and neighbouring Punjab hovered a few notches above normal limits.

Narnaul at 41.2 degrees Celsius was hotter by seven notches than the normal limits, a MeT Department official said here.

Hisar also experienced a hot day at 40 degrees Celsius.In Punjab, Patiala registered a maximum of 38.1 degrees Celsius.
Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a high of 36.6 degrees Celsius.
Early morning rain in Srinagar- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir - brought down the mercury to 'normal' level.

The maximum temperature settled at 18.5 degrees Celsius - which is normal during this part of the season, a spokesman of the MeT department said.

On the other hand, the winter capital Jammu recorded a high of 34.1 degrees Celsius.
In Himachal Pradesh, the MeT office warned of rains at many places in mid and higher hills from tomorrow onwards even as mercury rose to 38.8 degrees Celsius at Una in foothills, eight degrees above normal.

The region had a dry and hot day but sky was overcast by the evening and Shimla and surrounding areas had drizzle.