Heat is on: India continues to sizzle

The mercury soared to an abysmal high — touching 47 degrees in some parts — on Sunday, leaving almost 50 people dead across the country. Though authorities did not have exact figures of casualties, reports coming in from different states pointed to the harshest summer in a long time. Moreover, the weatherman predicted no respite — the afternoon would continue to scorch in the next two days while the night temperatures are also expected to be unbearably high. In western districts of Orissa, there were reports of 39 people killed by the intense heat as day temperatures hovered around 43 degrees Celsius. The government, however, confirmed only 10 deaths due to sunstroke in hotspot Titlagarh among other places. Apart from Titlagarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Talcher and Sundargarh too have been experiencing temperatures over-40 degree Celsius. Unconfirmed 19 deaths were reported from UP, where cities like Agra and Jhansi recorded 44 degrees. Lucknow also braved another day of 41 degrees Celsius, even as temperatures remained more than four degrees above normal in cities across the state. Four people died in Rajasthan. Mercury went up to 47.8 degrees on Saturday in border district of Sriganganagar. Jaipur, on the other hand, recorded 44 degree Celsius on Sunday, with dust-storms and frequent power cuts making conditions worse. The otherwise pleasant Srinagar, which is thronged by tourists at this time of the year, was 10 degrees above normal at 32.4 degrees. Severe heatwave is sweeping several parts of Maharashtra too, including West Vidarbha and Nasik district.