It is the hottest April in many decades

The Indo-Gangetic plains and northern and western parts of the country are reeling under a severe heat wave, unusual for April. Temperatures have crossed the mid-40s, 5 degrees higher than normal for this time of the year in most places, claiming 18 lives in Orissa.

Many voters preferred to stay indoors rather than venture out to polling booths on Thursday, keeping turnout at 50% in 107 seats across nine states and two Union territories that went to the polls in the third phase. Indian meteorological department officials said sweltering conditions are likely to persist due to north-westerly dry winds.
Delhi has witnessed its worst April in almost five decades, with maximum temperature on Friday touching 44 degrees C, 5 degrees above normal. The Delhi government plans to shut more than 900 schools early for the vacation and private institutes may follow suit.

Neighbouring Uttar Pradesh is also thinking of closing schools early, with April temperatures remaining 40 to  43 in most areas, including Lucknow.

Punjab and Haryana also saw temperatures in the mid-40s, with Hissar in Haryana recording 45 followed by Chandigarh (42) on Friday.

Pilani in Rajasthan touched 47.1 on Thursday.  The Himalayan foothills recorded unusually high temperatures, with Dehradun sizzling at 41 on Friday, six degrees above normal, to break a 39-year-old record of 40.8 for April.  Orissa is reeling under a heat wave with some areas witnessing temperatures over 45. The toll due to the heat wave in the state has risen to 18.