Temperature in Lucknow seems to be blowing right on our faces, quite literally. Hot, dry winds coming from Rajasthan continue to sweep Uttar Pradesh with sweltering weather conditions noted on June 13. Mercury levels, both during the day and night, have remained 3-5 degrees above normal in most parts of the state in the past 24 hours.

Everyone is waiting eagerly for rain in UP, however, no relief is expected till June 17, Saturday, stated MET. Thereafter, cyclone Biparjoy might change climatic conditions with a slight drop in temperature by 2 to 3°C.

At 45.9°C Jhansi remained hottest in Uttar Pradesh followed by Prayagraj at 45.4°C and Hamirpur, Agra and Rae Bareli at 44.5°C each.

In Kanpur, the observatory at Indian Airforce Station recorded 44.6°C max temp, while the main city reported 43°C. Similarly, in Varanasi, the airport recorded 44.5°C and the city 43.6°C.

Other districts that recorded high temperatures included Basti at 44 °C, Banda at 43.8°C, Sultanpur at 43.6°C and Ayodhya at 43.5°C.

In Lucknow, max. temp. touched 42.5°C, 3.2 units above normal, and min temp at 30.5°C, 3.3 notches above normal.

From Lucknow to Prayagraj, the next 24 hours are deemed to be fiercely hot by MET. Citizens are advised to stay home and stay hydrated.

Apart from us, even animals at Lucknow zoo continue to face effects of loo. Large shed for deer, sprinklers to keep the land cold for swamp deer, cold water ponds for tigers and lions, fresh water supply for hippopotamus, are some of the measured taken by authorities to beat the heat, among others.