Jaipur: Heatwave conditions intensified across Rajasthan Monday, particularly in the western districts, with Barmer emerging as the hottest place in the country with a scorching maximum temperature of 47.3°C. Jaipur recorded a maximum temperature of 39.9°C.The national heat bulletin of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed Barmer as the hottest place in India, with severe heatwave conditions prevailing in isolated pockets across western Rajasthan.The Meteorological Centre in Jaipur attributed the prevailing extreme weather conditions to active upper air cyclonic circulation and strong westerly winds. Officials warned that the heatwave conditions are likely to worsen over the next few days, especially in western Rajasthan.Normal life was severely affected in Barmer during the afternoon hours Monday, as roads and marketplaces wore deserted looks due to the intense heat. Several villages and remote hamlets in the district reported acute drinking water shortages and unscheduled power cuts, compounding the difficulties faced by residents amid the sweltering heat.Several other districts also reeled under severe heatwave conditions Monday. After Barmer, Phalodi recorded the state’s second-highest maximum temperature of 46.8°C, followed by Jaisalmer at 46.5°C, Bikaner at 45.3°C, Jodhpur at 44.9°C and Chittorgarh at 44.2°C.Among other major cities affected by the severe heat were Sri Ganganagar and Jalore at 42.8°C each, Kota at 42.7°C, Udaipur (Dabok) at 42.3°C, Ajmer at 42.1°C, Bhilwara at 42°C and Sikar at 41.4°C.Night temperatures also remained unusually high in several districts. Barmer recorded a minimum temperature of 32.3°C, while Phalodi touched a low of 33.8°C at night. Jodhpur recorded persistent warm night conditions too, with a minimum temperature of 28.9°C.Amidst the heat, Sri Ganganagar district witnessed mild showers and some hailstorm activity during morning hours Monday, bringing some much-needed respite from the heat.
