Jaipur, March 8 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted that a heatwave may start in several parts of western Rajasthan from March 10, amid the constant rise in temperatures over the last few days. IMD Rajasthan chief Radhe Shyam Sharma, said, "The temperature in most parts of the state has already surpassed 35 degrees Celsius which is 4 to 9 degrees Celsius above the normal average temperature. This surge in March is very abnormal. We expect the temperature will touch 40 degrees Celsius in several districts in southern and western Rajasthan in the next few days. Hence, many parts of the state including Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Chittorgarh, will face a heatwave starting March 10." In the last 24 hours, the maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius was recorded in Chittorgarh and Jaisalmer followed by 37.7 degrees Celsius in Pilani, 37.6 degrees Celsius in Barmer and Churu, 37.2 in Vansthali, and 36.9 in Bikaner. On Saturday, the temperature exceeded 35 degrees Celsius in 22 cities across the state, including Ajmer, Bhilwara, Vanasthali, Jaipur, Pilani, Kota, Chittorgarh, Dabok, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Phalodi, Bikaner, Churu, Sriganganagar, Nagaur, Dungarpur, Fatehpur, Karauli, Dausa, Lunkaransar, Pratapgarh, and Jhunjhunu. Due to the humidity level in the atmosphere falling below 40, along with intense heat during the day, the heat has also started increasing in the mornings, evenings, and nights. The minimum temperature in many cities at night is being recorded between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius. On Friday, the maximum temperature of 37.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in Barmer followed by 35.7 degrees Celsius in Jaisalmer, 35.4 degrees Celsius in Jodhpur, Phalodi, and Chittorgarh, and 35.2 degrees Celsius in Alwar. "A subtropical westerly Jet Stream with core winds of the order of 100 knots at 12.6 km above mean sea level continues to prevail over Northwest India. A fresh Western Disturbance seen as a trough in middle level tropospheric westerlies with its axis at 5.8 km above mean sea level runs roughly along Long. 52degE to the north of Lat. 33degN," Sharma said. He said that a fresh western disturbance might form on March 12 in several parts of north-western India and therefore there will be relief from the heatwave. "This is a pattern noticed in the last few years where summer and monsoon arrive early in Rajasthan. Such abnormal rise in temperature was also noticed in 2022. This year, the number of heatwave days may increase 10 to 15 days. People are advised to take necessary measures in the afternoon to save themselves from the heat," said Sharma....