Jaipur/Ajmer, June 10 -- Severe heatwave conditions continue to grip Rajasthan, the Meteorological Centre in Jaipur said, forecasting dry weather and soaring temperatures across western parts of the state over the next two days. The state government has extended summer holidays in government schools by a week, and in Ajmer the worsening drinking-water crisis prompted a protest by Congress workers against the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) on Tuesday. The Meteorological Centre said most areas of the Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions are likely to see predominantly dry weather over the next 48 hours. Maximum temperatures are forecast to remain between 44degC and 46degC, with heatwave conditions and strong dust-laden winds of 20-30 km/h at several places. The department predicted relief from the intense heat later this week, when a fresh western disturbance is expected to become active. Between June 11 and June 14, parts of the Bikaner, Jaipur, Ajmer and Bharatpur divisions are likely to witness thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds of 50-60 km/h and light to moderate rainfall at isolated locations. In a major relief for students, parents and teachers, the education department has extended summer holidays in government schools until June 28. In an order issued by the Bikaner education department on June 9, schools will now reopen on June 29 instead of June 21. The academic calendar for 2026-27 had originally scheduled summer holidays from May 17 to June 20; with the extension, the total vacation period rises from 35 days to 42 days. The department has also increased the powers of school principals, allowing them to sanction up to two days of leave at their discretion instead of one day previously. The ongoing drinking-water crisis in Ajmer sparked a demonstration by the Ajmer City District Congress Committee against the PHED. On reaching the PHED office, demonstrators beat drums and rattles and broke earthen pots outside the premises. A brief commotion followed when some pots accidentally struck police personnel deployed at the site. A Congress delegation later submitted a memorandum to departmental officials, giving them a seven-day ultimatum to improve the city's water-supply system....