Blistering heat continued its surge across North India on Sunday affecting normal life in Rajasthan which was the hottest with the mercury soaring above 48ºC at many places keeping people indoors as Delhi witnessed its hottest day in June at 44.8ºC.
Dry weather remained unabated driving mercury beyond bearable levels at many places in the desert state including Phalodi, Sriganganagar and Barmer which recorded temperatures of 48.2ºC, 48.1ºC and 48ºC respectively deterring people from venturing out.
Churu also boiled at 47.4ºC, followed by Kota and Jaisalmer which sizzled at an identical 46.9ºC while Jaipur recorded the season’s maximum at 45.8ºC.
Heat wave conditions intensified in Delhi as well with the mercury rising to over 44ºCelsius, six degrees above normal and the maximum recorded in the month of June.
Maximum temperature was recorded at 44.8ºC against Saturday’s 43.2ºC, the Met department said.
The unbearable heat spell put normal life out of gear in the capital as the humidity levels recorded were as high as 67 per cent.
The city roads witnessed thin traffic with people preferring to remain indoors. There was little crowd to be seen at India Gate which normally bustles with activities.
Searing heat scorched Punjab and Haryana also with Hisar being the hottest at 47.6ºC.
While Hisar in Haryana was hotter by seven degrees, Ambala also braved a hot day at 43.2ºC, up by five notches, the Met office said.
Karnal also sizzled at 43.4ºC, up by five degrees while Chandigarh experienced a hot day at 41.4ºC, four notches above normal.
In Punjab, scorching heat swept Amritsar at 44.4ºC, up by four degrees while Ludhiana was equally hot at 44ºC, four degrees above normal.
Scorching heat prevailed in Patiala as well, with the maximum there soaring to 43.6ºC, five above normal.
Heat wave conditions have intensified in the region during the past 10 days, with Met office predicting no immediate relief from the scorching weather.
The maximum temperature in the region is likely to further increase by up to two degrees on Monday, it said.
Uttar Pradesh also reeled under heat wave and sultry weather conditions with Jhansi recording the maximum temperature of 46.7ºC.
“No rainfall was recorded from any part of the state and heat wave condition with high humidity continued to prevail in the UP,” Met officials said here.
In Lucknow maximum temperature hovered around 41.3ºC, two notches above normal, whereas Varanasi recorded 41.8ºC, three degree above normal, the officials said.