Fire raining from the sky, Banda is the hottest in the country with 44.4°C, heatwave alert in 16 districts of UP:

News India Live, Digital Desk: With the beginning of the second fortnight of April in Uttar Pradesh, the sun has started blazing fire. of Bundelkhand on Thursday To tie District 44.4 degrees Celsius The temperature was the hottest place in the country. The Meteorological Department has warned that the mercury may rise by 2 to 3 degrees in the next three to four days, which will make the heat wave more dangerous. Even in the capital Lucknow, the mercury is expected to cross 40 degrees on Friday.

Record breaking heat in Banda

The heat in Banda has left last year’s record behind.

Temperature condition: On Thursday, the maximum temperature of Banda was recorded at 44.4°C, which is about 4 degrees above normal.

No peace even at night: The minimum temperature here also remains around 24.4 degrees, due to which there is no respite from the heat even at night.

Silence on the streets: From 12 noon onwards, a ‘curfew’ like scene starts appearing on the streets of Banda as the scorching hot winds are forcing people to remain confined to their homes.

Mercury crosses 40°C in these districts

Not only Banda, but the mercury has crossed 40 degrees in more than 16 districts of UP:

Prayagraj: 43.0°C

Agra and Varanasi: 41.7°C

Jhansi: 41.6°C

Sultanpur: 41.3°C

Kanpur and Hamirpur: 41.2°C

Lucknow: 39.8°C (likely to be 40+ today)

Meteorologists’ warning: Why is the temperature increasing?

According to Mohammad Danish, senior scientist of the State Meteorological Department, there are two major reasons behind this extreme heat:

Effect of El Nino: This year, due to the effect of El Nino, summer has come before time and with more intensity.

Hot westerly winds: Hot westerly winds coming from the desert areas of Rajasthan have started heating the plains of north-western India (especially UP).

When to expect relief?

According to the meteorological department, 20 April A new Western Disturbance may become active around . Although there is less chance of rain, but due to movement of clouds and change in wind direction, there may be a slight drop in mercury and some relief from the scorching heat wave.

Expert advice: Avoid heatwave like this

Stay hydrated: Keep drinking water even if you don’t feel thirsty. Keep buttermilk, lassi and ORS solution with you.

Focus of time: Avoid exposure to direct sunlight between 12 noon and 4 pm.

Dress: Wear light colored cotton clothes and keep your head covered.