No respite from searing heat in most parts of India

Vast swathes of the country reeled under scorching heat today with the mercury soaring to above 40 degrees Celsius mark in many areas.
Banda in Uttar Pradesh was the hottest place in the country, recording a maximum of 43.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Nowgong (Madhya Pradesh) 42.7, Bankura (West Bengal) and Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) 42.6, and Daltonganj (Jharkhand) 42.5 degrees Celsius.
Residents of Delhi and Chennai reeled under searing heat as day temperature rose to nearly 40 degrees Celsius.
In the national capital, the maximum temperature was recorded at 39 degrees Celsius, seven notches above the season's average, while the minimum temperature settled at 21.4 degrees, three notches above the normal.

The weatherman has forecast light rain in some areas in north India tomorrow.
In the desert state of Rajasthan, heat wave continued in western parts and Jaisalmer reeled under 42.6 degrees Celsius.

Bikaner and Churu recorded day temperatures of 42.4 and 42.3 degrees Celsius, respectively, while Kota, Barmer, Pilani and Jaipur recorded maximums of 41.3, 41, 40.7 and 40.3 degrees Celsius.
Heat wave conditions continued at some places in Uttar Pradesh as the weather remained dry. The MeT office in Lucknow said Banda recorded a maximum temperature of 44.2 degrees Celsius.
In Punjab and Haryana, maximum temperatures hovered above normal levels. Chandigarh recorded a high of 36 degrees Celsius.

In Haryana, Hisar experienced a hot day with a maximum temperature of 39.5 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal, while Ambala registered a high of 37.3 degrees Celsius. Karnal registered a maximum temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius.
In Punjab, Patiala recorded a high of 37.9 degrees Celsius. Ludhiana, too, experienced a hot day at 36.8 degrees Celsius, while Amritsar registered a maximum temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius.
In Himachal Pradesh, there was, however, marginal relief from searing heat with the mercury dipping by a few notches in some areas.
The MeT office in Shimla has warned of thunderstorm accompanied with squall and hail at isolated places in mid and lowers hills on April 4 and 5 and predicted rain or snow at mid and higher hills at many places from tomorrow onwards.