UP heat wave toll rises to 19; Ganganagar hottest in country

New Delhi, May 6 (UNI) The heat wave toll rose to 19 in Uttar Pradesh today, while Ganganagar in Rajasthan was the hottest place in the country with the mercury reaching 48 degrees Celsius.

In Uttar Pradesh, at least five heat wave related deaths were reported in the last 24 hours taking the toll to 19. Two deaths were reported in Mahoba district of Bundelkhand region, one each was reported from Hamirpur, Auraiyya and Lalitpur. So far, Mahoba has accounted for eight heat wave deaths in UP.

Agra continued to swelter and recorded a maximum temperature of 45.2 degrees in the last 24 hrs, which was four degrees above normal.

In Rajasthan, five people from different areas are reported to have died over the past two days, succumbing to the rising heat.

Three people died in Pali district while one each died in Jodhpur and Jaipur, sources said.

The temperature hovered between 44 degrees Celsius to 48 degrees C in different districts in the state. Ganganagar sizzled at 48 degrees C, the highest recorded this season. Churu recorded 47 degrees C, while Jaisalmer, Dholpur, Barmer, Jhalawar were all sweltering at 46 degrees C. Bikaner, Kota, Rawatbhata, Bharatpur, Pilani, Sawai Madhopur were a degree less at 45 degrees C, while Ajmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur and capital Jaipur were hot at 44 degrees C.

Delhi today witnessed the hottest day of the season so far with the maximum temperature rising up to 44.5 degrees C. The Meteorological department said the temperature was five degrees above normal. However, it ruled out the possibility of a heatwave gripping the national capital despite Rajasthan and Punjab reeling under it.

In Haryana, Hissar continued to be the hottest place in the state with a maximum temperature of 46.2 degrees C and the minimum of 31.3 degrees C. Narnaul reported a high of 44.0 degrees and Rohtak 43.9 degrees.

In Punjab, the mercury touched 44.6 degrees, seven degrees above normal, at Amritsar. Ludhiana recorded 44.0 degrees and Patiala 43.5 degrees celsius, four degrees above normal.

In Jammu, the maximum temperature was hovering at 42.1 degrees, five degrees above normal.

In Chandigarh and its adjoining areas, the mercury rose to 42.0 degrees from yesterday's 41.4 degrees. Dusty winds swept across the city in the morning.

In Himachal Pradesh,the capital town of Shimla recorded the maximum temperature at 28.5 degrees, seven degrees above normal.

The 13050-foot-high Rohtang Pass in the state has been opened for light vehicles after remaining cut off with the rest of the state for about four months, Lahaul-Spiti Deputy Commissioner R Salvem said. The first light vehicle crossed the Pass last evening.

UNI TEAM PK AT KN2000