Daytime readings crossed the oppressive 40°C mark in several parts of the state on Monday, signalling one of the cruellest summers on the cards.

The dominating westerly winds have sent the swelter meter spinning and the Celsius may soar further over the next two days, weathermen have warned.

“There will be no respite from the scorching heat at least in the next 48 hours. The weather will remain mainly dry over Jharkhand in the next two days. The prevailing wind pattern is obstructing moisture incursion into the atmosphere,” explained A.K. Sen, the director of Patna Meteorological Office.

Jamshedpur suffered its hottest day of the season with the maximum reaching 41.6°C on Monday, four degrees above normal. On Sunday, the steel city had recorded 39.7°C.

But, state capital Ranchi, thanks to its altitude advantage, stayed comparatively cooler. The local weather office recorded a maximum of 36.8°C against 35.5°C on Sunday.

Areas close to Jamshedpur like Chaibasa, Ghatshila and Seraikela also crossed 41°C. On the other hand, heat-cursed Daltonganj panted at 40.1°C, four notches above the average normal. The headquarters of Palamau had recorded 38.8°C some 24 hours ago.

The other heat pockets included Deoghar and Bokaro, where Met observatories recorded maximum readings of 40.5 and 40°C, respectively.

Day temperatures also witnessed a rise in districts like Latehar, Gumla, Simdega, Hazaribagh and Koderma.

Dhanbad sweated at 37.6°C. On Sunday, the coal town had recorded 36°C.

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Calcutta has ruled out rain. “Satellite pictures and weather chart analysis show no sign of rainfall over Jharkhand in the 48 hours. The maximum temperature will witness a rising trend,” said a duty officer.

He, however, added that a Nor’wester, which is often unpredictable, could bring much-needed respite from sweltering conditions.

Residents of the steel city, meanwhile, had a maddening Monday. “I made it a point to cover my face while commuting to office and back on my two-wheeler,” said Abhishek Kumar, an employee with a private company.

College student Anjali Sharma echoed him. “It was just terrible outside. For the first time this season, we really felt the heat. We need some rain respite,” she said.

Statistics revealed that last year, maximum readings in many places, including Daltonganj, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro and Deoghar, had hovered between 40°C and 43°C in April.