Most parts of the state, including Jamshedpur and Daltonganj, continued to reel under oppressive heat with the mercury topping the 40°C mark on Sunday, prompting weathermen to extend the heat wave alert for another 24 hours.

The stifling conditions are likely to last at least till midweek with the IMD offices in Ranchi and Patna ruling out Nor'wester relief in the next 72 hours.

The daytime temperature touched 42°C in Jamshedpur and its adjoining areas for the second consecutive day. Daltonganj, too, recorded around 42°Cagainst 42.5°C on Saturday. The maximum readings in both places were around five notches above the normal.

While their altitude advantage kept Ranchi and Ramgarh below the oppressive mark, all the other districts grappled with searing heat. In Ranchi, the temperature in fact witnessed a drop to 38.6°C from 39°C on Saturday. Ramgarh recorded around 38°C on Sunday.

"Day temperatures will not subside for another 24 hours owing to the dominating westerly winds. Chart analysis shows that clouds may form over Jharkhand and there is also possibility of light rain and thunder after 24 hours because of a low-pressure trough, but the cooling effect won't last," said D.G. Hedau, a senior official at Ranchi Meteorological Centre.

Hedau also ruled out the possibility of a Nor'wester. "We haven't spied a Nor'wester on the radar yet. The summer saviour storm is unlikely to hit any part of the state in the next 72-hours," he said.

Last year, fiveNor'westers had kept the Celsius somewhat on leash between March 28 and May 31.

This time, the temperature-buster tempest has been conspicuous by its absence. In fact, it was more than two weeks ago that Jharkhand even witnessed a thunderstorm.

Low relative humidity - ranging between 15 per cent and 35 per cent - has compounded the blow of the blistering sun this year. Loo (hot and dry winds) swept across the state, especially central and southern Jharkhand, on Sunday afternoon.

"Dry and hot winds raise the discomfort index. There is no moisture incursion. The heat wave will last for at least the next 24 hours," said a duty officer at Ranchi Met centre.

Sumonto Banerjee, a resident of Sonari, said extreme heat had prompted him to stay indoors on a holiday.

Telco resident Amitava Chatterjee said it had become difficult to stay at home without an AC. "Ever since the Celsius touched 40°C, we are using the AC both day and night."