Chhattisgarh wilts as mercury rises to 47 degrees Celsius

Cases of sunburns and heat stroke have jumped in Chhattisgarh as most parts of the state are wilting under maximum temperatures of 47 degrees Celsius.

Almost all the state's 27 districts Thursday recorded high temperatures, with Raipur registering 47 degrees Celsius.

Doctors at state's biggest government hospital, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Hospital in the capital, said that 78 people were brought to the hospital Thursday for skin related ailments such as sun burns. This is a record for number of heat-related patients during the current summer spell.

Reports from Bilaspur said that 59 people were rushed to the district hospital after they had vomiting, dehydration and other problems. In urban areas of the state, roads looked deserted and people remained indoors to escape the intense heat.

In Raipur, even at the busy city squares traffic police, who are mainly women, stayed away from duty in daytime. Government offices too recorded low attendance Thursday.

The meteorological department has forecast further rise in temperatures Friday.