Jamshedpur recorded the hottest day of the season on Sunday when the maximum temperature soared to 45.5 degrees Celsius, five notches above average, the local weatherman said. It was also the highest in the last three years, with weathermen quickly issuing a heat wave warning.
The officials added that the dry westerly and northwesterly winds from Bay of Bengal is making the temperature rise.
The weatherman has forecast a further rise in the temperature. The day temperature on Monday is likely to hover around 44 degrees Celsius, signaling one of the cruelest summers on the cards.
Statistics revealed that June 11 was the hottest day last year (2012) when the mercury reached to 45.2 degree Celsius. In 2011, May 11 was the hottest day with the Celsius registering 42.3 degree Celsius. Sunday's maximum temperature in Jamshedpur was also the highest temperature of this season across the State.
Meanwhile, curfew-like situation prevails in the city during the day as the denizens stayed indoors till the evening due to the sweltering heat. Heat waves and sultry weather scare vehicle riders and pedestrians, and it resulted in roads wearing a deserted look during the day.
Residents of the steel city had a maddening Sunday. On the other hand shops selling chilled water, cold drinks registered brisk business. There is also increase in sale of caps and umbrellas.
“life has become tough for us. This time the heat is really quite bad. Even the air conditioners seem ineffective in the afternoon,” said Pooja Nayak, bank employee." it is the worst summer
vacations for us.The heat is unbearable and the high humidity is making life miserable. We cannot stay inside our homes, so how can we concentrate on studies,“ said Shruti Vatsya, a Class IX student.
The heat wave which is tormenting the state since past one week is there to stay. The Met department today extended the heat wave conditions in Jharkhand for another 24-hours. Weathermen said that Jharkhand is in the grip of dry westerly winds, which is mercilessly rising the day temperature. “ As per our reports this condition is likely to prevail for the next 24 hours, as we do not see any possibility of rain or a change in the wind pattern,” explained a weather analyst at the Patna Meteorological Office.
The city has been sweltering for the past few days with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius and wearing a deserted look. Frequent power cuts have added to the woes of residents.