Why a 200-year-old mosque in Varanasi was demolished in the middle of the night
Authorities carried out a heavily guarded overnight operation in Varanasi as land was cleared for an ambitious transport hub project linked to Kashi railway station.
The heatwave continues to wreak havoc across Uttar Pradesh.
The intense heatwave has continued to batter the state for the past five days, with maximum temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in seven districts of Bundelkhand and southern Uttar Pradesh, which remain under the grip of scorching heat and blazing sun.
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Banda, recording a maximum temperature of 47.6 degrees Celsius, was once again the hottest place in the country on Thursday.
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Easterly winds during the day further intensified the heat, while the rising heat index and apparent temperature left people distressed.
On Thursday, the maximum temperature crossed 45°C in seven cities of the state — 46.6°C in Prayagraj, 45.6°C in Varanasi, 45.2°C in Hamirpur and Sultanpur, and 45.1°C in Amethi. Lucknow recorded 43.6°C, the highest temperature of the season so far.
A red alert for heatwave conditions on Friday has been issued for Banda, Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Jaunpur and surrounding areas.
Additionally, an orange alert for hot nights has been issued for western Uttar Pradesh, while eastern Uttar Pradesh has been placed under a red alert for extremely hot nights.
Due to the severe heatwave, schools and colleges have been closed early for summer vacations. Roads wore a deserted look during the afternoon across the state.
In Lucknow, a special 10-bed ward has been set up at the Civil Hospital for heatstroke and other heat-related patients.
Similar special wards have also been established in other districts. Cold-room facilities with continuous air-conditioning, along with arrangements for ORS and ice packs, have been made in these wards.
In Chitrakoot, a shower system has been installed to help cool cattle.
The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for heatwaves and intense heat in ten districts of the state for Friday, while an extreme heatwave warning has been sounded for 23 other districts. Night temperatures are also expected to remain above normal in many areas.
Atul Kumar Singh, senior scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Lucknow, said that a trough is passing from Manipur through north Uttar Pradesh.
As a result, easterly winds are blowing across several districts, increasing the apparent heat. Severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue in eastern and southern Uttar Pradesh for the next three to four days.
He further said, “The intense sunlight and heatwave are making it feel 2°C to 3°C hotter than the actual temperature. There is no hope of relief from the heat over the next seven days.”
According to the Meteorological Department, the southwest monsoon is advancing rapidly and is expected to reach Kerala within the next three to four days.
Oceanic conditions in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal remain favourable for the monsoon’s advance. Meteorologists believe that if the monsoon reaches Kerala ahead of schedule, its impact could soon be felt across the country.
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