Bhopal’s hottest day at 45.4oC, Naugaon hottest in MP at 48o

BHOPAL: Heatwave gripping the state is not relenting with mercury touching 48 degrees Celsius at several places and Bhopal recording season’s hottest day at 45.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
For citizens in the state capital it was not only the highest temperature of the season, but also the highest temperature in June recorded after about two decades. Elsewhere in the state the situation was even worse with highest temperature in state touching the mark of 48 degrees Celsius in Naogaon.
What is surprising is that even after the end of nautapa – the nine days of intense heat according to Hindu calendar— the heat wave is unrelenting.
More than a dozen cities in the state have recorded maximum temperature of 45 degrees and more for the past 10 days. This has been among the longest spell of heat wave in the state.
As per the Met records, the highest ever maximum temperature recorded in Bhopal in the month of June is 45.6 degrees Celsius recorded on June 10, 1979 and June 5, 1995. The temperature in the city on Wednesday was slightly less than this mark.
There seems no respite from heatwave this week as there is an absence of system and blowing of hot winds from Rajasthan. Officials of meteorological department, Bhopal circle said temperature would come down in state only after monsoon hits the Kerala coast, which is expected to happen in about two days. Moisture in the air after monsoon hitting the southern coast would result in lowering of temperatures, officials added.
The day temperature in Bhopal on Wednesday was six degrees more than normal mark while night temperature in city was recorded at 31.2 degrees, four degrees above normal. Wind direction in city was westerly and average wind speed was 20 kilometres per hour. Temperature at almost all the places in state remained above 45 degrees Celsius. While Naogaon was hottest at 48 degrees in the day, Khajuraho, Sagar, Damoh and Raisen sizzled at 47 degrees Celsius.
In the forecast for Bhopal on Thursday the Met department issued warning of heatwave. There would be clear sky in the day while evenings will be cloudy. There is a possibility of strong winds and thundery activity in the evening. Day and night temperature would be respectively at 45 degrees and 31 degrees Celsius while average wind speed will be 20 kmph.
In the forecast for state Met department issued warning of heatwaves at places, including Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Panna, Raisen, Rajgarh, Chambal, Sehore, Vidisha, Hoshangabad, Khandwa, Khargone, Shajapur, Ujjain, Tikamgarh, Agar, Rewa, Shahdol, Jabalpur and Gwalior.