India, May 17 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday warned that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely to persist across the plains of northwest and central India over the coming days, with temperatures expected to rise further in several regions.

According to the IMD, maximum temperatures recorded over the past 24 hours ranged between 40degC and 45degC across most parts of central India and adjoining north peninsular India, many parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and adjoining Haryana. Temperatures across the rest of the country largely remained between 32degC and 40degC, except in parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, northeast India, south Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

The highest maximum temperature of 46.0degC...