Officials check equipment as Bilaspur records 49.3 deg C on Monday

Heatwave conditions intensified in isolated parts of Chhattisgarh, with Bilaspur recording the highest ever temperature in the state at 49.3 degrees Celsius on Monday, prompting a detailed investigation by officials.

The record-shattering rise in mercury led weathermen to examine the temperature measuring instruments and other factors.

"The maximum temperature of 49.3 degrees Celsius recorded in Bilaspur yesterday is the highest ever in the state. But, it is yet to be confirmed," the director of the MeT officer in Raipur, Prakash Khare, told PTI.

The factors that led to such high temperature are being analysed, he said.

Yesterday, state capital Raipur, around 120 km away from Bilaspur, registered maximum temperature of 44.9 degrees Celsius.
 

On May 23, 2013 Bilaspur had recorded a high of 47.4 degrees Celsius. On May 15 this year the maximum temperature in the city was 47 degrees Celsius, Khare said.

"The temperature in the city (Bilaspur) normally reaches up to 47 degrees Celsius but yesterday when it was recorded 49 degrees, apprehension was raised over measurement accuracy.

"It is being investigated if any changes occurred in the standard condition of thermometer or other factors had led to rise in temperature," official said.

He said the instruments installed in the cityand the exposure condition today was examined, but no fault was detected.

"As no lacunae has been found so far, there is no doubt over the temperature (of the city on Monday)," Khare said, adding, however, a team of weather officials will visit the city tomorrow for a detailed investigation.

Maximum temperatures in Raipur, Bilaspur and Ambikapur have been continuously fluctuating between 44 to 47 degrees Celsius this month.

"These weather conditions can be attributed to the dry and hot winds from north west persisting over Chhattisgarh. Not only this, the central part of the country is experiencing a heatwave in this month," he said.

Meanwhile, Bilaspur today recorded a maximum temperature of 44.9 degrees Celsius while Raipur registered a high of 44.1 degrees Celsius was reported, the local MeT department said.

The weatherman has predicted dry weather in Chhattisgarh for the next two days and light rain or thunder shower at isolated places in the state on May 26 and May 27.