Lucknow: As heatwave conditions continued to intensify, mercury crossed the 45-degree Celsius mark in Prayagraj, which was the hottest in the country, on Friday.In Lucknow, temperature rose further to make the day the hottest of this season so far at 42.5 degrees Celsius, 3.4 units above normal.This was the third time that Prayagraj was the hottest in the country.Earlier on April 19 and on April 23, Sangam city was the second hottest in the country.According to weathermen, no relief is expected on Saturday, and some changes are likely on Monday and Tuesday, which could result in a drop in temperature by a couple of units.In Prayagraj, the mercury soared to 45.2 degrees Celsius, 4.6 units above normal, during the daytime while eight UP cities recorded the highest maximum temperatures nationally.Varanasi was the second hottest at 44.3 degrees Celsius, followed by Banda and Hamirpur recording 44.2 degrees Celsius each. These were followed by Agra (44 degrees), Sultanpur (43.8 degrees), Aligarh (43.4 degrees), Jhansi (43.3 degrees), and Rae Bareli (43.1 degrees).According to weathermen, relief from the scorching heat is likely after Sunday, when a fresh western disturbance over Iran is likely to bring light rain to some parts of the state.Several districts in the state recorded their hottest day of the summer season so far as they reeled under hot weather conditions, with mercury crossing the 42-degree Celsius mark.“In Prayagraj, weather condition is likely to change after Monday, as fresh western disturbance may bring some rain to some parts of the state. For the next three days, the Sangam city and other districts in the state will continue to reel under hot weather conditions,” said Mohammad Danish, senior scientist at the state meteorological department.He said the weather would most likely remain dry over the state. “Heatwave is very likely at isolated places during daytime in West UP and at a few places in East UP. Warm nights are likely at isolated places in West UP,” he said.
