Mercury crosses 35°C in Rajasthan

Jaipur: Temperatures continued to rise across Rajasthan on Friday, with maximum temperatures crossing 35°C in many parts of the state and touching 38°C in Chittorgarh and Jaisalmer, making them the hottest places, according to the Met office.The weather department attributed the steady rise in temperatures to active northerly winds and said the weather is likely to remain dry across the state over the next few days. Officials warned that heatwave conditions may develop in parts of western Rajasthan if the mercury touches around 40°C. Jaipur also experienced warmer conditions, recording a minimum temperature of 20.2°C, about 5.1 degrees above normal, while the maximum reached 36.0°C, nearly 6.7 degrees above the seasonal average. Over the past week, the city has witnessed a steady rise in both minimum and maximum temperatures, increasing by nearly 6 degrees Celsius. Pilani recorded a maximum of 37.7°C, followed by Barmer and Churu at 37.6°C each, Vanasthali and Fatehpur at 37.0°C, and Bikaner at 36.9°C. The Met office said heatwave conditions are likely to prevail in parts of the Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions from March 8 onwards.