PATNA, April 22 -- Heat wave like conditions have gripped large parts of Bihar and are likely to continue for next two to three days, with Gayaji recording 42.7deg Celsius followed by Patna and Bhagalpur experiencing 41.5deg Celsius on Tuesday, according to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Patna. In last 24 hours, Rohtas recorded the hottest temperature of 43.2deg Celsius followed by Kaimur at 43deg Celsius, as per the IMD. The department has predicted that heat wave conditions are likely in southwest districts on April 22 and April 23. Bihar Mausham Sewa Kendra (BMSK) officials too said that the state is going to experience a scorching summer in the next couple of months with less likelihood of western disturbances bringing rains and thunderstorms before the onset of monsoon in the last week of June. The temperature in Patna in the next 2-3 days will be higher, varying from 40deg to 42deg Celsius. BMSK director C N Prabhu said the temperature in daytime in southern Bihar would remain high varying form 40deg Celsius and above with some variations in temperature in the northeastern side of Bihar like Kishanganj and Purnea where slight rainfall is expected in coming few days. "In the coming three to four days, much change in the temperature is unlikely. The weather will be hot and dry with heat wave-like conditions set to prevail for a few days," Prabhu said. He said that this year the temperatures started peaking from March onwards and the summer months would be scorching and severe unlike in last year when there were spells of thunderstorms and rainfall in months of March, April and May due to regular western disturbances. "The western disturbances this year are low, a reason why the temperature has started rising early and there is less rainfall in the pre-monsoon season," he said. As per data from IMD, in last 24 hours, some of the other hottest places were Gayaji which recorded 42.4deg Celsius while Rajgir recorded 42.1deg Celsius. Gusty winds and thunderstorms/ lightening are likely in northeast parts like East Champaran, Madhubani, Sheohar, Sitamarhi and West Champaran on April 24, while on April 25 similar gutsy winds are likely in Purnea, Sheohar, Sitamarhi and West Champaran districts. Districts like Buxar, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad and Arwal too are set to experience hot conditions in the next few days, as per the forecasts. Weather officials said the state is likely to experience close to normal monsoon this year as against the prediction of below normal rains in the country. "It is still early to predict the monsoon rains. But Bihar is likely to have close to normal rains during this year's monsoon with deficient rains to be on the lower side. We are still monitoring weather patterns and a forecast will be made soon," he said....