Rajasthan experiences severe heat, Sri Ganganagar sizzles at 46°C

NEW DELHI: Parts of Rajasthan continued to reel under severe heat, with Sri Ganganagar recording a blistering 45.8 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours, the Meteorological Centre said on Friday. The sweltering conditions are expected to persist, especially in the northern and western districts of the state. While the weather is likely to remain mostly dry across Rajasthan, the Met office has predicted thunderstorms with winds speeding up to 40-50 kmph and light rain in parts of Udaipur and Kota on Friday afternoon. Strong surface dusty winds are also likely to sweep through the border areas of Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions over the next three to four days, the forecast added. The mercury is expected to hover between 45 and 46 degrees Celsius in Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar districts between May 16 and 20, with a heatwave likely to prevail at several locations. Most other parts of the state may record maximum temperatures between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, thunderstorms accompanied by light rain are likely in some northern parts of the state on May 19 and 20, providing brief respite from the ongoing heat.