Kolkata: Candidates for the coming Lok Sabha elections on Sunday felt the heat literally with day temperatures in the metropolis shooting up to 39.9 degree Celsius and the southern and western districts of West Bengal sizzling at over 40 degrees.
"Temperature in the city was 39.9 degree Celsius and similar weather condition is likely to prevail for the next couple of days in southern and western districts of the state," regional MeT director G C Debnath told PTI here.
The day temperature was six degrees above normal in Kolkata.
Debnath said there was little hope for norwesters, which are common during the onset of summer, to cool down the weather condition as of now.
The candidates and their supporters, who generally try to make the most of a Sunday before the elections, had to beat a retreat and take shelter indoors as the day progressed and temperatures soared.
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to address three rallies in West Midnapore district tomorrow at Keshiyari, Garbeta and Keshpur, where temperatures are past 40 degrees with a heatwave-like condition prevailing.
The day temperature at Bankura stood at 42 degree Celsius, the highest in West Bengal.
