The City of lakes Bhopal is on the boil nowadays due to scorching heat conditions; temperature recorded in the city on Thursday was 43.9 degree Celsius, the highest this season and there seems to be no respite soon with the Meteorological Department (MeT) in Bhopal predicting further rise in temperatures due to the incoming pre-monsoon westerly winds.
Not only the State capital, but other parts of the State are also in the grip of heat wave conditions and the conditions are far worse as the day temperature reached 47 degree Celsius in Naogaon of Chhatarpur district that remained the hottest place of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday.
The nights too no longer provide relief and are getting hotter by each passing day as the night temperature recorded on Wednesday in Bhopal was 29.4 degrees, while Khajuraho, that recorded the highest day temperature, was comparatively cool at 26.4 degree Celsius. Night temperatures of Bhopal and Jabalpur were recorded highest in the State at 29.4 degree Celsius.
People in the city are looking for ways to escape the scorching sun as temperatures are predicted to surge further before the onset of monsoon.
As the month of June approaches, one of the hottest months of the country, heat wave conditions continue to hit normal lives, making it difficult for people to step out of their houses.
The temperature recorded in other parts of the State, including Guna, are 45.4 degrees during the day and night temperature at 25 degree Celsius, Gwalior 45.3 and 26.1, Hoshangabad 44.5 and 25.4, Indore 43.2 and 26.1, Jabalpur 43.6 and 29.4, Sagar 44.7 and 25.6 and Satna 44.7 and 25.6 degree Celsius respectively.
People in Bhopal were seen with their heads covered with scarves and caps and carrying umbrellas as temperatures reached around 44 degrees on Thursday. Roadside juice vendors are also doing brisk business as locals keep thronging the shops for refreshing drinks. Some residents sought shelter under tree shade as power cuts in the name of maintenance remain a perennial problem during summers, adding to their plight.
As mercury is going northwards many parts of the State are also witnessing hot, dry and dusty spell.