In Ganganagar mercury touches 49

Jaipur, June 9 (UNI) Ganganagar in Rajasthan sizzled today and reached a record high of 48.9 degree Celsius with all other parts of the state reeling under an intense heat wave.

According to weather office, this is the highest in Ganganagar since 2003. Last year in 2006 the highest went up to 47.9, in 2005, it was 47.6, in 2004, the maximum went upto 47 and in 2003, it was 47.8 degree Celsius.

In Ganganagar's Suratgarh town, a rickshaw puller Mohanlal died of sunstroke yesterday. Till now, the heat wave in Ganganagar district has claimed five lives. The total number of deaths due to heat has gone up to 13.

Normal life in the state capital is almost paralysed with mercury touching 44.9 degree Celsius, 5 degree Celsius above normal.

Heat and the constant sunny weather has made life miserable for the people here, with almost everybody prefering to stay indoors. The nights continue to be warm with heat wave conditions persisting.

According to weather department, the temperatures continue to be two to six degrees above normal everywhere in the state. Churu recorded 47.2, Bikaner 45.6, Kota 44.7, Jaisalmer 44.8, Barmer 43.4, Ajmer 43, Jodhpur 42.1 and Udaipur 40.4 degree Cesius.

The weather will continue to remain dry and sultry over the next 24 hours with no respite from the heat.

UNI