Nagpur /Raipur, Apr 22 : Rising mercury levels made life miserable for residents in different parts of the country as they grapple with a heat wave.

In Nagpur, the maximum temperature was recorded at 41 degree Celsius.

People quenched their thirst with sugarcane juice and butter milk or lassi made from curd and flavoured with salt or fruit juice.

The rising temperature has made difficult for residents to even walk on streets.

"It is so hot in morning that it looks like afternoon. The sun is so hot that it makes difficult for people to even walk on streets. The heat is so unbearable that we don''t even feel like eating anything," said Dhanraj Jain, a resident/.

The situation was similar in Raipur.

The Metrological Department reported that the temperature would continue to rise.

"According to the present situation, we feel that the temperature will continue to rise in the next 48 hours. We have already issued a warning that the temperature might be around 45 degree centigrade," said M L Sahu, Director of Raipur-based metrological centre.

Usually the months of May-June are considered to be the hottest in the country, but the temperature has touched a high of 40 degrees Celsius in the April itself. (ANI)