Lucknow: As hot weather conditions intensified on Thursday, Banda stood the hottest in the country at 44.4 degrees Celsius, 3.9 units above normal.In fact, many cities of UP, including Lucknow, recorded their hottest day of this summer season. There will be no let-up in the situation in the coming days.Not just Banda, most parts of Bundelkhand and some parts of east and west UP saw high mercury levels. Prayagraj sizzled at 43 degrees Celsius, while Agra and Varanasi (BHU) simmered at 41.7 degrees Celsius each.Jhansi recorded 41.6 degrees Celsius, Sultanpur 41.3, Hamirpur and Kanpur (IAF) 41.2 each, Rae Bareli 40.8, Ayodhya 40.5, Orai 40.4, Aligarh 40.2, Hardoi, Barabanki and Meerut 40 each.In Lucknow, mercury level during the day reached 39.8 degrees Celsius, 1.3 units above normal, while minimum temperature was 21 degrees Celsius. The state met department predicted that the maximum temperature in Lucknow can also touch the 40-degree Celsius mark on Friday.While the temperatures recorded by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stations were high, people in the cities experienced more heat. For example, experts said, in Lucknow, the actual temperature was 39.8 degrees Celsius, but it felt like 42-43 degrees Celsius in places surrounded by buildings because they got converted into `heat islands’ as concrete and cement reflects heat into the atmosphere and it gets trapped among high-rises all around.The IMD has indicated that temperatures are likely to rise further over the next few days, with conditions in some areas potentially reaching heatwave thresholds, particularly in open regions and urban pockets.Senior scientist at the state met department, Mohammad Danish, attributed the rising heat to clear skies, low humidity and weak wind patterns.“An anti-cyclonic system over peninsular India is moving towards central regions, pushing hot westerly winds coming from the desert regions of Rajasthan towards the northwestern plains, including UP. Temperatures may climb another 3-4 degrees Celsius in the coming days. People should be cautious when going into the sun,” he said.Residents have been advised to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated and take necessary precautions against heat-related illnesses.
