People in the national capital got some respite from the scorching heat on Wednesday due to a partly cloudy sky, while some other parts of the country also witnessed some reduction in temperatures. However, the heat wave conditions persisted in Telangana, Rajasthan and Odisha.
The day's maximum temperature in the capital was recorded at 39.9 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal, while the minimum was 27.6 degrees, three notches above the season's average, the weather office said.
The clouds kept the temperature in check but there was no rain during the day.
According to the Met office, the same pattern of temperature would continue for the next few days, with the mercury remaining below the 40-degree mark.
The Delhi government on Tuesday ordered all government and private schools to advance their summer vacations to May 11 to provide relief from the hot weather conditions.
In Haryana and Punjab, cloudy and dusty conditions continued to keep the heat wave conditions under control on Wednesday, with maximum temperatures remaining below 40 degrees for the second day.
This gave people the much needed relief from the heat wave that has gripped the region over the past one week.
Hisar town in Haryana was the hottest at 39.9 degrees Celsius, while in neighbouring Punjab, the industrial city of Ludhiana saw a high of 39.1 degrees.
On Monday, Hisar had recorded a high of 45.5 degrees, while Ludhiana had sizzled at 44.5 degrees.
Heat wave conditions had intensified in Punjab and Haryana on Monday with most places in both states recording maximum temperatures of over 42 degrees Celsius.
Met officials predicted thunderstorms in some parts of the region by Thursday.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Met office forecast light rains in most of the places in the state.
According to the official, the minimum temperature was recorded at 25.1 degrees Celsius in Jammu city on Wednesday. It was, however, two degrees above the season's average.
The minimum temperature was 12.3 in Srinagar.
In Telangana, heat wave conditions continued on Wednesday even as some areas received rains, providing some respite to the people.
Ramagundam, which sizzled at a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius, was again the hottest place in the state.
Except Hyderabad, which was slightly better at 40.4 degrees, all other places in the state recorded maximum temperatures between 42 and 43 degrees.
According to the Met office, most places in the state were likely to record maximum temperatures between 40 and 44 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
Hyderabad and some districts have been receiving light rainfall over the last couple of days.
The heat wave has claimed 219 lives in Telangana so far this season.
In Rajasthan, heat wave conditions continued on Wednesday, with the mercury in many places still hovering between 40 and 43 degrees Celsius.
Kota was the hottest city with a maximum temperature of 43.4 degrees. The minimum temperature was also high at 28.6 degrees Celsius.
The weather office said temperatures were likely to see a decline in the next two days due to dust and thunderstorms and rains in some parts of the state.
In Odisha, the heat wave continued on Wednesday as 12 places recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.
The Met office predicted that several parts of the state may experience rainfall in the next two days.
The state government confirmed 14 deaths due to sunstroke.
In Himachal Pradesh, temperatures fell sharply across the state on Wednesday after widespread rains in most parts. More showers have been forecast.
Shimla recorded a maximum temperature of 24.5 degrees Celsius, down from Tuesday's 25.4 degrees.
--IANS
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