Heat wave claims 3 in WB, water crisis reported

The current heat wave sweeping across eight West Bengal districts claimed at least three lives in the last 24 hours even as water scarcity and power crises compounded the sufferings of the people.

The current heat wave sweeping across eight West Bengal districts claimed at least three lives in the last 24 hours even as water scarcity and power crises compounded the sufferings of the people in the entire southern part of the state.

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Asansol and Durgapur in Burdwan district recorded 45 and 43.5 degrees celsius, while Purulia continued to sizzle at 43 degrees celsius, followed by Bankura which recorded the maximum temperature at 42.8 degrees celsius.

While two heat wave deaths were reported from Suri in Birbhum district, a labourer of the Chakda municipality died in Nadia district, officials said.

There was no respite in Kolkata, even as weatherman said the mercury shot up to 38 degrees celsius (three degrees above normal) during the day. The city experienced the hottest day of the season with 39.6 degrees celsius recorded yesterday.

Power cuts were reported from some parts of the city, although the private power utility CESC Limited's 250-mw first unit of the Budge Budge plant resumed generation after two days today.

Regional meteorological centre said that there were no chances of rain in the next 24 hours.