Odisha residents are in for a tough time as the heatwave, which took the temperature beyond the 43 degree-mark at nine towns today, is set to intensify, but parts of north India, Telangana and Bihar can breathe easy with rains or thunderstorms forecast for tomorrow.
A squall and dust storm accompanied by light rains lashed some parts of the national capital this evening bringing the mercury down.
The Safdarjung observatory, whose reading is considered the official figure for the city, received 0.2 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm, while areas under Lodhi Road and Ridge recorded 0.6 mm and traces of rainfall.
The maximum temperature was recorded at 38.6 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year, while the minimum temperature settled at 24 degrees, the official said.
The MeT office has forecast overcast conditions along with the possibility of rain, squall, thunderstorm and dust storm for tomorrow.
In Odisha, Angul was the hottest place at 44.7 degrees Celsius. The temperature also crossed the 40-degree mark in at least 16 places, with the Met office forecasting intensified heat wave.
Normal life was thrown out of gear in most parts of the state, particularly in western Odisha, due to the scorching heat with roads wearing a deserted look during the day as people chose to keep indoors.
Titlagarh recorded a maximum temperature of 44.2 degrees Celsius, while it was 44.1 at Hirakud, 43.6 at Sambalpur, 43.5 at Balangir and Bhawanipatna, 43.2 at Talcher and 43 at Jharsuguda and Malkangiri.
Sundargarh recorded 42 degrees Celsius, while the mercury stood at 41.9 at Dhenkanal, 41.7 at Keonjhar, 41.4 at Sonepur, 41 at Phulbani and Baripada and 40.1 at Chandbali.
Parts of the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh may witness rains or thunderstorms tomorrow.
Today, however, hot conditions persisted in most parts of Punjab and Haryana.
Patiala was the hottest place in the region at 39.5 degrees Celsius.
Several places recorded the maximum temperature near the 40-degree mark, including Hisar which had a high of 39.2 degrees Celsius and Ludhiana at 38.9 degrees Celsius.
The Met office warned of a thunderstorm and squall, with the wind speed exceeding 45 kmph, at isolated places in the two states over the next two days.
In Rajasthan, Ganganagar was the hottest with the maximum temperature touching 41.7 degree Celsius followed by 41.2 in Churu, 40.8 in Kota and 40.2 each in Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jaipur.
The Met department has predicted duststorms or thunderstorms at isolated places in the state in next 24 hours.
The weather remained dry in parts of Uttar Pradesh with Banda the hottest place at 42.6 degrees Celsius.
There was light rain at isolated places. The weatherman has predicted more rain or thundershowers and thunderstorms with gusty winds at isolated places over the state for tomorrow and the day after.
Light to moderate rain or thundershowers are also very likely to occur at isolated places in Telangana over the next four days.
Khammam, Nalgonda and Ramagundam recorded the highest maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius each in the state, followed by Adilabad 42.5, Bhadrachalam and Hanamakonda at 42 degrees Celsius each, while Hyderabad sizzled at 41.3 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department website.
Cloudy skies have been forecast for Patna and Gaya while other parts of Bihar, including Bhagalpur and Purnea, may witness rains or thundershower.
The state capital, which has been witnessing over 40 degrees Celsius for the last couple of days, today registered 41.3 deg C.
The Met office said temperatures across the state may increase further, but there is no forecast of heat wave.
Gaya was the hottest place in the state with 42.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Bhagalpur at 42.2 and Purnea at 38.
Light rains occurred in parts of Himachal Pradesh bringing down the temperature in isolated areas.
In Chhattisgarh, the highest temperature of 43 degrees Celsius was recorded in Bilaspur, while state capital Raipur sizzled at 41.8 degrees. Dry weather is likely to prevail over the state over the next two days, but light rains and thundershowers have also been forecast over isolated areas.
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