Rains brought relief in some parts of the country on Saturday even as blistering heat continued in most states with Sriganganagar in Rajasthan recording a maximum of 48.3 degrees Celsius. Two persons were killed in rain-related incidents in Jaunpur of Uttar Pradesh, while nearly half a dozen people were injured as stormy weather prevailed in the district.

Hot and humid conditions prevailed in the national capital with the mercury hovering above 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the city. The Safdarjung observatory, the recording of which is considered official for the city, registered a maximum temperature of 40.5 degrees Celsius. Areas under Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge and Ayanagar observatories recorded maximum temperatures of 42.1 degrees Celsius, 39.1 degrees Celsius, 39.3 degrees Celsius and 41.0 degrees Celsius, respectively. 

Rajasthan reeled under intense heat which affected normal life in the state with Sriganganagar being the hottest place with a maximum of 48.3 degrees Celsius. Churu recorded a high of 48 degrees Celsius, followed by Kota 47.2 degrees Celsius, Pilani 47.1 degrees Celsius, Bikaner 46.4 degrees Celsius and Jaipur 45.1 degrees Celsius.

Heatwave conditions continued in most parts of Punjab and Haryana on Saturday with Hisar turning out to be the hottest place in both the states recording a high of 46.1 degrees Celsius.

In Punjab, Amritsar had a hot day at 41.1 degrees Celsius, while Ludhiana and Patiala too sizzled at 40.7 degrees Celsius and 39.2 degrees Celsius respectively.

However, many parts of Uttar Pradesh experienced pleasant weather with some cities receiving rainfall. Ballia received 8.4 mm rain and the maximum temperature there was 30.5 degrees Celsius. Gorakhpur received 6.6 mm rains, Varanasi 5.2 mm and Jhansi 2 mm. In Jaunpur, two persons lost their lives, while nearly half a dozen people were injured in rain-related incidents, an official said.

Meanwhile, Jhansi recorded a high of 44.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Orai 44 degrees Celsius, Fatehgrah 42.9 degrees Celsius and Banda 42 degrees Celsius.

In Odisha too, rains brought respite from the blistering heat and the mercury breached the 40-degree mark in only four places in the state, all in the western region. Titlagarh was the hottest place recording a high of 43 degrees Celsius while Balangir registered a high of 42.5 degrees Celsius. The drop in temperatures was experienced after rains and thundershowers occurred in some areas under the impact of a low pressure while a nor'wester appeared to have acted as a coolant in some parts of the state.

Rains occurred in parts of Telangana bringing down the mercury, even as Adilabad sizzled at 45 degrees Celsius and Ramagundam recorded a high of 44.4 degrees Celsius. Khammam urban received 9 cm rains, followed by Sathupalli recording 8 cm of rainfall. Rainfall also occurred in parts of Karnataka, Kerala, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Source: Timesofoman