Residents of Prayagraj found themselves grappling with scorching temperatures on Wednesday as the mercury soared, making it the fourth hottest district in Uttar Pradesh.
The blistering heat, reminiscent of a furnace, rendered life unbearable for many, prompting a silent curfew on the streets with only essential workers braving the conditions.
Tuesday saw the city experiencing its second hottest day in three decades, with temperatures reaching a staggering 48.2 degrees Celsius.
The last time such searing heat witnessed was on 30 May 1994, when the mercury hit a record 48.4 degrees Celsius, evoking memories of embers raining from the sky.
This year, the heatwave shattered previous records, leaving people drenched in sweat whether indoors or outdoors.
Commuters on two-wheelers faced misery as temperatures soared to 43 degrees Celsius by 10 am.
The hot winds only added to the ordeal, with temperatures touching 47 degrees Celsius by 1 PM and peaking at 48 degrees Celsius by 2 PM.
Meteorologist Prof. HS Mishra attributed the intense heat to a cyclone brewing in the Bay of Bengal, which is expected to usher in the monsoon towards the northeast.
This, coupled with local heating, has exacerbated the situation. Although there is a possibility of rain in the region next week, meteorologists forecast a further rise in temperatures.
Dr. Shailendra Rai, a meteorologist at Allahabad University, highlighted that Prayagraj had witnessed such extreme temperatures only twice in the past 30 years.
The heatwave has taken its toll on residents, with the health department reporting 137 cases of heat-related illnesses in the past month alone.
Three more reported cases on Tuesday affected 100 to 120 individuals. The symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, confusion, and nervousness.
