Heat wave claims 2 lives in Kolkata

PTI | Apr 23, 2014, KOLKATA: The heat wave condition sweeping across the southern part of West Bengal on Wednesday claimed two lives, with daytime temperature hovering around 41 degree Celsius, five degrees above normal, in the districts there. 

Both the persons, one aged around 40 and the other 45, died after collapsing on a street at Chitpur in the northern part of the metropolis. They were declared 'brought dead' in a hospital, officials said. 

With some of the southern districts going to polls on Thursday, the oppressive weather has scared voters. The excessive heat is also taking a toll on electioneering for the next phases of the Lok Sabha polls. 

The temperature in the city has been steadily rising over the last week and crossed the 40-degree mark yesterday and remained so today. 

"Heat wave conditions will continue for at least the next two days in most southern districts of the state, including Kolkata," Regional MeT director G C Debnath told PTI. 

He said there was little hope for thundershowers, which were common during this time of the year in Gangetic West Bengal, in the next few days. 

Explaining the phenomenon, Debnath said, "Lack of moisture incursion has led to the dry heat prevailing in these places."