Lucknow, April 23 -- A gradual rise in day and night temperatures gripped Uttar Pradesh, with at least 13 districts recording 42degC temperatures or above, indicating an intense heat pattern building across the state. In Moradabad, the minimum temperature was recorded at 26.8deg C, followed by Lakhimpur Kheri 26.4deg C, Hamirpur 26.2 and Fatehgarh 26deg C. Five UP cities figured among the 17 cities in the country where day temperatures exceeded 43deg C and above. Banda emerged as the third hottest city in the country with 43.8degC, followed closely by Prayagraj at 43.7degC as the fourth hottest and Sultanpur at 43.3degC as sixth hottest city in India. Varanasi (BHU) recorded 43.1degC as the eight hottest city, while Agra touched 43degC and was the ninth hottest in the country, placing multiple districts firmly in the severe heat zone. In Lucknow, day and night temperatures were recorded at 41.1 and 24.5deg C. The forecast for Lucknow is clear sky. The maximum and minimum temperature will be around 42 and 25deg C, respectively. Meteorological experts attribute the spike in temperatures to clear skies, intense solar radiation and lack of significant wind movement, all of which have contributed to sustained heating during the day....