Heat bakes North; Delhi sizzles at 45 degrees Celsius

Blistering heat scorched North India on Friday as mercury soared to 45 degrees Celsius in the national capital and further in several other cities of the region with Allahabad sizzling at a high of 47.2 degrees.

In Delhi, the maximum temperature reading at the Palam observatory broke a 19-year record of 47.2 degrees Celsius.

Friday’s maximum temperature reading at the Safdarjung observatory was a shade above 44.7 degrees Celsius recorded on Thursday, which was also four degrees above normal.

Four people have died from heatstroke in different parts of Uttar Pradesh with the mercury soaring to over 48 degrees Celsius. Mahoba in Bundelkhand remained the hottest place in the state with 48.1 degrees Celsius, according to official sources here.

Allahabad, too, recorded over 47 degrees Celsius temperature on Thursday, the Met office said. Temperatures remained above normal at Lucknow, Etawah, Mainpuri, Agra, Jhansi and in some other places. 

Frequent and prolonged power cuts have made life difficult for people, especially in rural areas. The state has been experiencing acute shortage of power for the past several days. 

Jaipur hottest in a decade

Extreme heat conditions gripped Rajasthan with Jaipur sizzling at almost 46 degree Celsius on Friday, the hottest in a decade.  

On Thursday, the maximum temperature in Jaipur remained at 46.3. At 48.8 degree Celsius, Churu remained the hottest in Rajasthan, followed by Phalodi with 48.5 degree Celsius. 

Three people were reported dead due to severe heat conditions, as several places in the state registered temperatures above normal levels. 

“The last time Jaipur was this hot was in 2011. In June 1981, the city had recorded a maximum of 48 degree Celsius,” said a met department official. 

Most places in Jaipur, including markets, wore a deserted look on Thursday and Friday afternoon, as people preferred to stay indoors at office or at home. Water scarcity has started to get acute in desert cities and areas like Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bhilwara.

Met officials forecast similar heat conditions across Rajasthan in June. As the temperature hovered around 46 degree Celsius in districts like Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh and Kota, the met department has warned that maximum temperature could go up in all parts of the state in the next 48 hours. 

Officials have also predicted that the monsoon would arrive late in Rajasthan, saying that rains are likely in the state by July 1.  

“After monsoon sets in Kerala, it takes almost 25 days to reach Rajasthan. We expect pre-monsoon activities by June 20. Monsoon is likely to hit some parts of Rajasthan on July 1 and widespread rain is likely by July 15," officials said.