Bhubaneswar, May 8: If you are praying for some rain relief from this prickly heat, there's bad news for you.

Scorching afternoons, stuffy evenings and sweltering nights are here to stay for a few days longer.

Weathermen forecast that the temperature of the city might cross 40°C mark in the next two days.

Chances of rain are also very less except at a few places.

The capital city sweltered at 39.7°C today, which is around three degrees more than normal. Yesterday the mercury stood at 40.2°C.

"The last two days have been difficult with the heat becoming unbearable. With no rain in sight, things just may turn worse. We prefer to stay indoors in the afternoon," said Sukanya Dehury, a resident of Rasulgarh.

Weathermen said that the situation would continue next week.

"The state is receiving warm wind from Rajasthan resulting in increase in day temperature. However, rain or thundershower may occur at one or two places across the state providing some relief from heat," said director (in-charge) of Regional Metrological Centre, Bhubaneswar, R.K Nayak.

Not only Bhubaneswar, but several other places in the state sizzled at above 40°C.

While the temperature remained over 40°C at nine places in the state, Jharsuguda recorded the highest temperature of 43.4°C.

Talcher was second with at 42.8°C, followed by Angul and Bhawanipatna that recorded 42.7°C and 42.5°C, respectively.

The streets in the city wore a deserted look with commuters opting to stay indoors due to the heat.

"High temperature coupled with humidity has made life difficult. It has become almost impossible to stay without air conditioner. We hope that it rains in next one or two days," said Panchanan Das, a resident.

Statistics available with the regional meteorological centre revealed that the city receives an average rainfall of 97.3mm in May.

However, it is yet to receive significant rainfall in the first week of this month.

"Though during most parts of May, the temperature hovers over 40°C, the city also receives significant rainfall which lowers the temperature. But this year it is yet to rain in May," said a metrological official.