Heat wave condition to remain in Gangetic Bengal for next 48 hrs

Kolkata, Apr 23 (UNI) Temperature soared in Gangetic West Bengal and the people wilted as the Met officials predicted that heat wave conditions will prevail in five districts during the next 48 hours.

Purulia today recorded the season's highest temperature with the maximum being pegged at 44.2 degrees Celsius, one degree above yesterday's. West Midnapore recorded a high of 39.4 degrees Celsius.

Burdwan, Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum and West Midnapore of Gangetic West Bengal will experience heat wave conditions during next 48 hours, as per the MET office.

While the maximum temperature in Kolkata ranged between 39.7-38.6 degrees Celsius, the minimum was also quite high, ranging between 27.1-26.6 degrees Celsius.

In parts of Kolkata like Dum Dum in the north, the maximum temperature shot four degrees above normal, especially in places where the temperature was above 39 degrees Celsius. The maximum in the city for the next 24 hours will hover around 39 degrees Celsius.

Alipore Met office director G C Debnath said while Gangetic West Bengal will remain dry with temperature being recorded at 2-3 degrees Celsius above normal, the Sub-Himalayan region may experience rain and thundershower in the next 48 hours.

The IMD officials informed that there was no possibility of rain or thundershowers for the next days.

Fearing the worst, doctors have asked everyone to avoid exposure to sun, use umbrellas and drink a lot of fluids. Incidents of heat strokes and unconsciousness have been reported from most parts of the city as well as in the districts. Yesterday a traffic police constable died of sunstroke in the city's Maniktola area.

Incidentally, last year the highest maximum temperature was recorded at 38.4 degrees Celsius in April, while the year before it was 38.8.

The all-time highest in Kolkata was recorded on April 25, 1954 at 43.3 degrees Celsius.

UNI LL PL KK DB1849