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Heat wave sweeps north India

No relief from blistering heat in sight; duststorm forecast in places

CHANDIGARH: Heat wave conditions prevailing in most parts of north India intensified today with maximum temperatures crossing 40 C mark at many places. Hisar in Haryana suffered under blistering heat with day temperature touching 43 C, five degrees above normal, the Meteorological Department said here.

Karnal also recorded a hot day at 40 C while the high at Ambala touched 38.1 C.

There was little respite for Chandigarh residents as the maximum rose further to touch 38.4 C, three degrees above the normal range.

Patiala in Punjab also registered an above normal maximum at 39.3 C while Ludhiana had a hot day at 38.8 C. The high at Amritsar touched 37.8 C. Shimla recorded 24.5 C, four degrees above normal and the high at Sundernagar was recorded at 34.8 C.

The spell of heat continued unabated in Uttar Pradesh, with maximum temperatures across the state hovering between 40 and 43 degree Celsius during the last 24 hours.

The weatherman said Varanasi and Allahabad at 43 degrees were the hottest places in the state, while Baharaich recorded 40 degrees.

The state capital recorded a maximum temperature of 41 degree Celsius and was likely to remain dry during the next 24 hours.

The temperature in the state was likely to stay at 41 degrees during the next 24 hours with a mainly clear sky becoming partly cloudy later. The met department has also forecast the possibility duststorm/thunderstorm accompanied with squall at isolated places.

Bihar's burning summer is having its people running for cover, and searching for cooler alternatives

The sizzling summer has left the denizens of Bihar's state capital parched with thirst, and with temperatures crossing the 40-degree Celsius mark for the first time this season, the state also faces the possibility of a looming power crisis and a receding water table.

The weather office here is refusing to speculate on how high the mercury will rise this year. The availability of water has already become a problem with ground water levels going down and pump houses becoming non-functional because of the power crisis.

``Their is a lot of electricity problem and no signs of relief from the intense heat. When we come out of our workplace we straight away go and fetch some cold drinks. This is our only relief in the harsh summer.'' said Kamlesh, a local resident.

For the rich, there is succour in the form of air conditioners or air coolers, but for the poor, the only solace seems to be the local juice vendor or beverage joint.

Walking the streets is no easy task. People are covering their heads as well as their noses and mouths to escape the warm breeze. The sale of earthern pots and jars is at its peak. For the poor these pots are the only means to get cold water. The water in these pots stays cool for a long time and is also considered healthy. For those who cannot afford buying a fridge these pots are the only option.

``The rich can afford fridges, but not all. During summers the demand for earthern pots increases because the water remains cold in them. The water in these is cold and also very healthy,'' claims Ram Bhajan, a manufacturer of earthern pots.

It appears that Patnaites are headed for a long, hot summer. ``If you compare the temperature with that of last year it is equally hot. In April last year the average temperature of Patana, Gaya and Bharatpur where the departments station is, was 42 degree Celsius and this year it is 41 degree Celsius, so their is no major difference.'' said T.N Jha, Director Metrological Department, Patna.

Meanwhile, temperature touched 40 degrees Celsius for the second time in the past one week as people in Delhi began to feel what was in store this season.

Maximum temperature today was 40.2 degrees Celsius, which was three degrees above normal, while the mercury had touched 40 on April 15 as well.

The temperature had also been just a shade below 40 on quite a few days this month, including yesterday when it was 39.5 degrees.

The minimum today was 20.4 degrees Celsius, Met office said.

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