At least 12 towns and cities recorded mercury at 40 degrees Celsius and above and a few parts of the State witnessed slight rainfall in the evening.While Sambalpur recorded highest temperature at 43.2 degrees Celsius, Chandabali recorded 41.4, Bhubaneswar 40.9, Angul 40.1, Baripada 42.0, Jharsuguda 43.1, Hirakud 42.1, Talcher 40.5, Bhawanipatna 42.5, Balangir 41.5, Titilagarh 42.5 and Subarnapur recorded 41.8 degrees Celsius.Meanwhile, the local Meteorological Department here predicted that rain or thundershowers may occur at some places in the State in the next 48 hours.It too predicted that severe heat wave conditions may prevail in the State from May 21 to 24.