Heatwave havoc: 140 dead so far, MeT dept predicts further rise in temperature

Heatwave conditions are turning worse across the country with Delhi registering a temperature above 40 degrees Celsius, today. So far 140 people have succumbed to the fierce heatwave.

In Delhi, the mercury was recorded at 40.6 degrees Celsius, four notches above the normal, on 20 April. The humidity level in the air oscillated between 22 per cent and 65 per cent.

The eastern states of Odisha and West Bengal recorded boiling heat at around 45 degree Celsius in most parts.

The mercury also soared in several cities in Uttar Pradesh with Lucknow posting 42.6 degrees Celsius and Allahabad scorching at 45.2 degrees Celsius.

Among other cities in Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi reeled under 43.4 degrees Celsius, Sultanpur at 44 degrees Celsius and Kanpur at 42.4 degrees Celsius.

Hisar in Haryana was the hottest place in the plains at 40.5 degrees Celsius as maximum temperatures hovered above normal limits at most places in the state. In neighboring Punjab, barring Amritsar, which recorded a high of 33.2 degrees Celsius, down two notches, most other areas experienced hot weather conditions.

As a sign of relief, the MeT Department has forecast light rains or thundershowers at isolated places in Haryana and Punjab until tomorrow.

In Rajasthan, Kota was recorded as the hottest place in the state with a maximum of 41.5 degree Celsius followed by Churu which registered 41.3 degrees Celsius.

Down south, Adilabad, Anamakonda and Nizmabad in Telangana scorched at 43 degrees Celsius though the weatherman has predicted light to moderate showers for the next two days.

There seem to be no respite from the severe heatwave conditions as the meteroloigical department has predicted a rise in temperatures over next three days.

- With agency inputs.