Delhi, Parts Of North India Receive Light Rain, Early Summer Vacation In Maharashtra Amid Heatwave Conditions. Key Points

The maximum temperature in several parts of Uttar Pradesh recorded a slight drop, bringing much-needed relief from the severe heat that battered the state over the past few days.

New Delhi: As many parts of the country continue to reel under heatwave, light showers brought some respite in North India as the mercury dipped by few notches in several states, including Uttar Pradesh and Delhi on Thursday. Delhi received light rains in the evening, with the maximum temperature settling at 36.3 degrees Celsius, one notch below the normal, while the minimum was recorded at 23.4 degrees Celsius, according to an India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The maximum temperature in several parts of Uttar Pradesh recorded a slight drop, bringing much-needed relief from the severe heat that battered the state over the past few days.

Here are the key updates:

• Himachal Pradesh witnessed intermittent rains accompanied by hailstorm in several parts while the tribal areas received fresh snowfall. As many as 63 roads, including 42 in Lahaul and Spiti, 11 in Kullu, four in Kinnaur, three in Chamba, two in Kangra and one in Shimla were blocked and 142 transformers were affected, according to reports.


• A severe hailstorm hit Shimla and the surrounding tourist destinations of Kufri and Chharabra, disrupting vehicular traffic.


• Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal and some other parts of the state witnessed thunderstorm with lightning and drizzle due to western disturbance and other factors. “Such weather is expected to prevail for the next four days,” IMD's Bhopal centre director R Balasubramanian told PTI.


• In view of heat wave conditions, Maharashtra government directed all schools affiliated to the state board to remain closed from Friday. “Schools of other boards can take decision about closure after considering their curriculum and activities,” said the order issued by the School Education Department on Thursday.


• Odisha reeled under severe heatwave with as many as 29 places recording temperature above 40 degrees Celsius. Boudh became the hottest place in the state at 43.9 degree Celsius, followed by Bhubaneswar (43.2), and Talcher and Kendrapara (43).


• IMD issued orange alert for Mayurbhanj, Jharsuguda, Khurdha and Cuttack districts for next 24 hours for heat wave conditions. Yellow warning has also been issued for Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Boudh, Sonepur and Balangir districts.


• In view of the heatwave, Odisha government summer vacations in all schools from Friday. All schools -- government, private and aided -- will be closed for summer vacation from April 21, the Information and Public Relations Department said.