Bengal reeling under heatwave in poll-bound districts

Kolkata: Western districts of West Bengal, including Burdwan and Bankura, which goes to the polls on Monday are reeling under heatwave with the Met office saying no respite is in sight for the next three to four days.

"Heatwave is prevailing in most part of western side of the state and likely to continue for at least 3-4 days," local Met office director G C Debnath told PTI.

According to IMD here, Asansol recorded 41.9 degrees C and Burdwan 41.5 degrees C Bankura recorded the highest temperature of 44.2 degrees C.

He said the heatwave is likely to grip Kolkata and adjoining areas in the next 48 hours.

During the day, Kolkata experienced heat of 37.6 degrees C, which is 2 degree above normal.

The state government has requested school authorities to declare summer vacations early from April 11.

"We urge the state-run as well as private schools to start the summer holidays from Monday till the weather improves. This is for the primary to high school levels," state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said.