Chhattisgarh is continuing to get swept by strong heat waves blowing across the State.
Despite patches of clouds appearing in the sky intermittently, there was no respite for the residents of Raipur from the blistering heat conditions as the temperature climbed closer to 44 degrees Celsius mark on Thursday.
Rajnandgaon remained the hottest in the State with a maximum temperature of 43.8 degrees celsius on Thursday.
The denizens will have to bear the harsh weather for the next few days as, according to the Meteorological Department, similar conditions will prevail while the temperature is likely to rise further. The Department has forecast partly clouded sky with chances of thunder in Eastern and Northern areas during the next 48 hours.
In Raipur city the busy market areas had witnessed a decline in customers except during evening and morning hours. The roads become deserted and the traffic reduces during noon time.
People were seen taking shelter under shades and taking soft drinks and ice-creams to beat the heat. The roadside stalls and shops did good business by selling beverages, ice-creams, juices, salads and fruits etc.
As far as the State is concerned, Ambikapur with 42.9 recorded followed by Durg with 42.8, Champa 42.6 and Jagdalpur 39.8 degrees Celsius.
Bastar district gets slight relief due to cool wind blowing from the coastal areas of Andhra and Orissa. The day temperature in Bastar is hovering around 38 degrees Celsius.