The Telangana government on Wednesday announced summer holidays in all schools from Thursday, April 20 in view of the high temperatures in the state. Hyderabad recorded 43°C for the first time this month on Monday – the highest in 10 years and only 0.3°C short of its highest ever temperature recorded on April 30, 1973. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a heatwave alert for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh until today.

Bihar also sizzled on Wednesday with Gaya recording 41.6°C, PTI reported. The maximum temperature in Patna was 37.6°C while the minimum temperature was 26°C. Uttar Pradesh also remained dry, with Allahabad being the hottest place in the state at 45°C. Heat wave-like conditions were observed at isolated places in western Uttar Pradesh. Above-normal temperatures were also recorded in Jhansi, Agra, Bareilly and Meerut and Lucknow.

On Tuesday, however, the India Meteorological Department had predicted a normal monsoon in the country this year – 96% of the long-period average. The favourable forecast was attributed to a weakening El Niño and a strengthening Indian Ocean Dipole. While there are doubts about the intensity of the showers, the IMD predicted a 38% chance of near-normal rainfall and said there were indications that the rains will be well distributed.