Heat & run: Rising mercury grips Raj districts, Pilani sizzles at 44.9°C

JAIPUR: Heat wave conditions were unberable across the state on Friday with majority of the places witnessing a rise in its maximum and minimum temperatures. Pilani (Jhunjhunu) remained the hottest logging 44.9°C, the Met said.
Attributing the rise in temperatures to the active northerly winds, Jaipur Met office said on Sunday some places in Jaipur, Bharatpur and Jodhpur divisions are likely to get mild showers and dust storm.
However, mercury wsill continue to take an upward swing across the state Monday onwards. People in Jaipur woke up to a temperature of 27.4 °C. It was followed by a scorching afternoon with the maximum temperature touching 39.8°C. In the coming days, the mercury will rise further and the city's maximum temperature is likely to be around 42°C.
Normal life was affected in many districts where rise in maximum and minimum temperatures was witnessed.
Pilani was followed by Barmer where a maximum temperature of 43.9°C followed by Jaisalmer 43°C, Phalodi 42.8°C, Kota 42.6°C, Bikaner 42.3°C, Jodhpur 41.8°C, Churu 41.5°C and Sriganganagar 38.5°C.
Usually, maximum temperature touches 45°C at a few places like Phalodi, Pilani, Churu, Barmer and Jaisalmer during this time of the year. However, due to the rainfall and dust storm, there hasn't been much rise in maximum temperatures. In the coming days, mercury will soar further and from May 23, severe heat wave conditions would be witnessed in western and northern Rajasthan.