Heat unabated as monsoon eludes North, Churu records 48.6 degC

In national capital, the mercury remained above normal with maximum touching 41.8 degree Celsius, six notches above normal, while the minimum was five notches above normal at 32.3 deg C.

Rajasthan reeled under severe heat wave with Churu recording 48.6 deg C, breaking a record of over 30 years.

In 1979, the district had registered a high of 45.5 deg C in the month of July, the Met office said.

Temperatures at Sriganganagar and Dholpur stood at 46.8 and 45.1 deg C.

Capital Jaipur registered 43.6 deg C, the Met office said, adding that the condition is likely to persist during next 24 hours.

Uttar Pradesh also reeled under the hot spell with Banda recording the highest temperature of 45.6 deg C.

The ongoing torrid heat wave also persisted in Punjab and Haryana with the maximum settling upto six notches above normal at few places in the two states.

Narnaul in Haryana recorded a high of 45.3 deg C, six notches above normal.

Amritsar continued to be the hottest place in Punjab with a high of 43.1 deg C, six notches above normal.

Hisar braved a high of 44.7 deg C, up by six degrees, the maximum temperature at Bhiwani was 43.7 deg C.

Rohtak sizzled at a high of 42.8 deg C, up by four notches followed by Ludhiana at 39.8. Ambala recorded 39.5 deg C while Patiala sizzled at 39.4 deg C.

Isolated areas in the region may have rainfall or thundershowers during the next 24 hours, according to Met department.