Heatwave persists in large parts of India, Churu sizzles at 50 degrees C

Heatwave conditions intensified in Rajasthan on Tuesday, with Churu recording the highest temperature of the season at 50.5 degrees Celsius. The day temperature reached 46.6 degrees Celsius in Jaipur, 49.4 degrees Celsius in Ganganagar, 49 degrees Celsius in Pilani (Jhunjhunu) and Phalodi, 48.3 degrees Celsius in Bikaner and 48.2 degrees Celsius in Kota, according to the Meteorological Centre here. Amid the searing heat, 18 people, mostly homeless, were found dead at various places in Kota in the last four days but the district administration said the exact reasons behind the deaths will be clear only after the receipt of their postmortem report. "There is no death by heat wave in the district so far and there is nothing related to heat wave in postmortem reports brought to my knowledge," Kota collector Ravindra Goswami told PTI on Tuesday. He was asked if the deaths were related to the heat wave. The official said he is continuously monitoring arrangements in the city to take sto