By IANS
Jaipur : Rajasthan had no respite from intense summer heat Sunday as the mercury in several places went further up a day after the desert state recorded its highest temperatures in 12 years.
Jaipur was blazing at 45.2 degree Celsius, 0.3 degrees more than the maximum temperature recorded Saturday. Bikaner was sizzling at 44.4 degrees, while Ajmer recorded a maximum temperature of 42.1 degrees. Jodhpur at 40.8 degrees and Dabok near Udaipur at 39 degrees were somewhat lucky.
On Saturday, Sriganganagar recorded a blistering 48.9 degrees Celsius while in the rest of the state temperatures ranged between 42-49 degrees.
The figures were comparable to historic records. On May 9, 1995 the mercury touched 49.9 degrees Celsius in Barmer, while Alwar had recorded a maximum of 50.6 degrees on May 10, 1956.
The unusual heat wave forced people to remain indoors and roads wore a deserted look in cities.
The meteorological department here said there would be no change in temperatures in the next 48 hours.
"The maximum temperatures are likely to remain between 40-46 degrees in Rajasthan," a met official said.
Many people have started to go early to their offices and come late in a bid to save themselves from a harsh sun.
"This scorching heat has changed my routine completely. I am a direct marketing agent and with the sun blazing I start my days early in the morning, work for a couple of hours and do the rest of my work after the sunset," said Siddarth Singh, a professional here.
"I prefer to leave early for the office and return a bit late. That is how I save myself from the heat," said Karan Singh, an executive in a company here.
The normally bustling markets in leading cities are mostly empty in the daytime. The only people doing brisk business are ice cream and cold drink vendors and watermelon sellers.
"I ward off the heat by eating lots of watermelon. That is the cheapest way to save yourself from a heat stroke," said Kamal Meena, a labourer.