A zoo employee bathes an elephant to give him relief from the heat on Tuesday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

The maximum temperature in the city on Tuesday touched 40°C for the first time this year, adding to the discomfort of residents and acting as a precursor to the hot days ahead.

Incidentally, this was also the fastest rise of the mercury column to the 40-degree-mark in the past three years.

Last Tuesday, the maximum temperature was 37.4°C; it rose to 39.4°C on Monday and to 40.4°C on this Tuesday. Clear skies, a bright sun and scorching winds have added to the discomfort level.

Weathermen claim that the rise in temperature can be attributed to the dry westerly winds circulating in the city.

“Easterly winds bring moisture from the Bay of Bengal to Bihar, restricting an abnormal rise in temperature. However, at present, the atmosphere in the region is filled with dry westerly winds because of which the sun’s rays are able to reach the earth’s surface directly. This is leading to rise in the day (maximum) temperature,” said Ashish Sen, director, India Meteorological Department, Patna.

Technically though, the discomfort factor has still not come into play.

Sen said: “The discomfort factor comes into play when high temperature and high moisture content in the air persists over four or five days. However, no such discomfort factor can be said to be affecting Patna. The temperature is rising steadily and the level of moisture is also pretty low.”

Those who have to venture out during the day, however, are finding little comfort in technical jargon. The heat is taking its toll on them.

Ashiana Nagar resident Jaya Upadhyay said: “My three-and-a-half-year-old daughter’s school is 1.5km from our home. By the time she returns at 12noon, she is completely exhausted by travelling in the heat.”

The worried mother added: “When she came home today (Tuesday), she immediately asked for water. I feel terrible asking my child to go out in such inclement weather.”

It could get worse for everyone, warned weathermen.

Despite the “historic” heat this year, the city is yet to experience a heat wave condition, which is expected only in the second week of April.

A heat wave condition arises when the actual temperature is five degrees higher than the normal for more than two days at this time of the year. The normal temperature around this time is 37°C.

“The maximum temperature is expected to be 40-41°C by this weekend. Even that temperature would be only three or four degrees above normal, which would not qualify for heat wave condition,” said IMD director Sen.

Those who believe that the best part of summer is the abundant availability of fruits should keep their fingers crossed.

Agriculture experts claim the prevailing conditions would have a mixed impact on the growth of mangoes and litchis. “High temperature and low moisture are favourable for growth of panicles of mango and litchi. However, the low water content could lead to their premature falling,” said Anil Kumar Jha, an agriculture expert.

The scorching conditions have made life difficult not only for humans but also animals at Patna zoo.

Abhay Kumar, the director of the facility, said: “We are providing enough water to the animals to drink and also to bathe in. We have also put straw and hay over the enclosures to provide them with extra shade and coolers and fans to beat the heat.”

The diet of the zoo inmates has also been altered slightly for summer. “Water-rich food — watermelon, cucumber and glucose drinks — are being given as supplement,” said Abhay.