Heat wave paralyses life in Rajasthan

: Rajasthan continued to reel under heat wave conditions on Thursday, with the maximum temperature hovering between 40 and 45 degree Celsius.

The temperatures in some places, including state capital Jaipur was higher by 3-4 degree celsius above the average.

The heat wave conditions have paralysed life in the desert state and the afternoons look as if a curfew has been imposed, with traffic movement very thin as the people prefer to remain indoors.

The heat wave has come as a boon for ice cream and cold drink sellers, with the majority of shopkeepers selling these products in Jaipur reporting a 30-40 percent jump in sales.

Jaipur was hot at 44.7 degree celsius, four degrees above average. Even the minimum temperature at 28.4 degree celsius was one degree above average.

Bundi and Kota were sizzling at 45.5 degrees Celsius and 45.4 degrees.

The desert town of Barmer was scorching at 43.4 degrees while Udaipur, the city of lakes, was at 42 degree and Churu at 41.8 degrees.

If the forecast is any indication, then there is not going to be any respite from heat wave in the next 24 hours to Friday evening.

"The heat wave is likely to prevail in some places in Rajasthan in the next 24 hours. Jaipur will see partly cloudy skies with the possibility of a dust storm. The maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 44 degrees and 28 degrees respectively in Jaipur in next 24 hours," a weather department official told IANS Thursday evening.