Patna, May 16: There is no respite in sight from the heat wave condition prevailing in the capital for the past couple of days. Weathermen today predicted further rise in mercury column in the next few days.

“At present, the north-western winds from Afghanistan and Pakistan have a dominating influence on Patna’s atmosphere. These are land-to-land winds, and very dry,” said C.S. Patil, meteorologist, Patna meteorological department.

The maximum temperature today was 39°C and is expected to go up over the next couple of days.

Patil said: “The temperature will remain high for the next couple of months. Change in wind direction, however, may lead to a fall in temperature.”

He added that the temperature would fluctuate from place to place but would not go down by much till the monsoon sets in (in mid-June).

For most residents, the heat is unbearable.

Ashiana Nagar resident Arpita said: “The schools have closed but children cannot go out even in the evening. The food starts stinking within a few hours of cooking. We are also unable to sleep at night because of the hot weather. Air-conditioners are the only source of relief.”

A large number of people have been taken ill because of the hot weather.

“There has been a sudden increase in the number of patients suffering from diarrhoea, viral fever and measles in the past few days,” said Dr Akhilesh Sharma, assistant civil surgeon, sub-divisional hospital, Danapur.

He said: “We have been getting seven to 10 cases everyday. Children are most susceptible to such diseases.”

The doctor added that the cause behind such diseases include dehydration, consumption of contaminated water and unhygienic surroundings.

Sharma said: “While it takes around two to three days to recover from such diseases, we advise people to drink boiled water, ORS solution and clean their surroundings. We urge people to avoid oily food in summer.”