Rajasthan reels under heat wave

JAIPUR: Heat wave conditions aggravated in the state on Thursday when majority of the places witnessed rise in its day and night temperatures. An average rise of almost 5 degrees Celsius was recorded in the maximum and minimum temperatures across the state. Barmer remained hottest in the state where a maximum temperature of 44.1 degrees Celsius was recorded, the Met reports said.

Attributing to the scorching heat wave conditions to the active northerly winds Jaipur Met office said that the conditions will further aggravate in the state in the next 24 hours.This was probably the first time in this season so far when the maximum temperatures at majority of the places in the state were at or above 40 degrees Celsius. People in Jaipur woke up to a warmer morning as a minimum temperature of 27.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in the city. It was followed by hottest day of the season so far as a maximum temperature of 40.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in the afternoon. Since the summers have settled in Jaipur almost a week ago people have already started using air-conditioners and air coolers. The roads wore an empty look in the afternoon as people confined themselves to their respective homes and offices to avoid scorching heat conditions. Jaipur met office further stated that no respite would be witnessed in the coming days as temperatures in the city will further rise.
In this season so far last three days of March had witnessed an average maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius.
However, Jaipur Met office said that some places in the western and eastern Rajasthan will witness mild showers by Saturday.
The ongoing spell of the heat wave conditions has also aggravated water crisis in the districts including Tonk, Ajmer, Bhilwara and Jaipur as due to poor monsoon the water reservoirs already have limited amount of water. In Jaipur, abrupt power cuts were also witnessed while many villages across the state are facing power cuts during afternoon due to increase in power consumption.