Heatwave conditions intensify in parts of India, weather dept promises relief

Light rains in sun-scorched north India are likely to bring some relief in the next three days, while heatwave conditions intensified on Wednesday in most parts of the country, including eastern states with Tripura declaring a 'state specific disaster'.

The national capital, parts of which reeled under heatwave conditions for the past few days, had some relief on Wednesday with strong winds and partly cloudy skies witnessed during the day.

Delhi, which had recorded above 40-degree mark in the past few days, recorded a maximum of 38 degrees Celsius.

"The maximum temperature is likely to drop by another two to three degrees over the next two days in the city," a MeT official said.

Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and Baripada in Odisha recorded a maximum temperature of 44.5 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department.

According to IMD, heatwave conditions are prevailing in isolated pockets over Gangetic West Bengal since the last eight days; coastal Andhra Pradesh since the last six days; Bihar since the last five days; and Punjab and Haryana since the last two days.