Heatwave severe in Rajasthan, Barmer sizzles at 45.2°C

Jaipur: Heat wave conditions grew severe in Rajasthan on Tuesday with most places witnessing a significant rise in maximum and minimum temperatures.

Barmer was hottest in the state with a maximum temperature of 45.2 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal. The meteorological department has warned that heat wave is likely to intensify further in coming days.

Dholpur recorded a maximum temperature of 43.8 degrees Celsius, a 4-degree rise within two days from 39 degrees recorded on Sunday. The district administration declared a two-day holiday on Wednesday and Thursday for classes one to eight.

The director for school education issued an order on Tuesday evening, allowing district collectors to change school timings or declare holidays depending on heat wave conditions.

Absence of factors such as western disturbances and upper air cyclonic circulation has led to a steady increase in surface temperatures since Sunday, the Met office said. In Jaipur, residents experienced the hottest morning of the season so far, with a minimum temperature of 29.2 degrees Celsius, nearly 3 degrees above normal. This was followed by the hottest afternoon of the season with maximum temperature of 44.1 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees higher than normal. The scorching heat forced people to stay indoors during afternoon hours. Jaipur has seen a rise of five degrees Celsius in maximum temperature since Sunday.

An officer at the Met office in Jaipur noted that apart from Mount Abu, the hill station of Rajasthan, which recorded a maximum temperature of 32.8 degree Celsius, most places in the state had maximum temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.