Mercury rises further, heat wave warning in Maharashtra

Many places in the country experienced scorching heat with the mercury crossing the 40 degrees mark while the weatherman warned of heat wave in Rajasthan, Maharashtra and some other areas.

Hot conditions prevailed in the national capital with the mercury soaring above the 40 degrees Celsius mark in some parts of the city. Safdarjung observatory, whose recording is considered the official figure for Delhi, recorded maximum temperature of 41.2 degrees Celsius, four notches above the season's average.

Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge and Ayanagar registered maximum temperatures of 43, 40.6, 41.5 and 42.6 degrees Celsius, respectively. According to the MeT office, the city is likely to reel under heatwave-like conditions this week.

Heatwave prevailed at most places in Rajasthan while slight rise in maximum temperatures were recorded in some areas, with Sriganganagar being the hottest for the second consecutive day recording a high of 46.8 degrees Celsius.

Churu registered maximum temperature of 46 degrees Celsius while Bikaner recorded a high of 45 degrees Celsius, followed by Jaisalmer 44.5 degrees Celsius, Barmer 44.3 degrees Celsius, Kota 44.2 degrees Celsius, Pilani 43.7 degrees Celsius, Jaipur 43.2 degrees Celsius, Dabok in Jodhopur 43 degrees Celsius and Ajmer 42.1 degrees Celsius.

The MeT department has predicted heat wave at many places and warm night conditions at isolated places in western region of Rajasthan.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a heat wave alert for Central Maharashtra and Marathwada region.

With the day temperatures already rising, the mercury is likely to soar further at some places in Central Maharashtra and Marathwada since north India is witnessing severe heat wave like conditions, an IMD official said.

As per the IMD, some places Madhya Pradesh would also face heatwave-like conditions.

Scorching heat persisted in many parts of Odisha, mainly in its western region, while the mercury dropped marginally in the coastal belt following rains due to the impact of Cyclone Maarutha.

The mercury breached the 40 degree mark in at least 10 places in the state and Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district became the hottest place in the state at 43.5 degrees Celsius.