The country was today in the grip of scorching heat with Idar in Gujarat<br/>being the hottest at 48.5 degrees. <br/>Indian Metrological Department director Kamaljit Ray said, temperatures in Deesa of Banaskantha also soared to a new high of 47.3 degree Celsius. Entire Gujarat sizzled as mercury remained over 45 degree Celsius. Ahmedabad recorded 46.8 degree Celsius, Bhuj 46, and Gandhinagar 46 degree Celsius. Met office has predicted that heatwave conditions will prevail for next two-three days all across the state and central India due to northwesterly winds blowing from dry regions. <br/>Temperatures crossed the 45-degree mark at several places in north India. Rajasthan experienced near unbearable heat with Barmer sizzling at 48 degrees, the season's highest, and the temperature crossing 45-degree mark at places like Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Churu.<br/> <br/>Warm conditions also aggravated in Punjab and Haryana where Hissar endured a hot day at 45.2 degree Celsius, four notches above normal. The maximum in Patiala settled at 43 C followed by Ludhiana 42.9 C, Amritsar 42.8 C and Karnal, Ambala and Chandigarh — an identical 42 degree Celsius. <br/>In the national capital, day temperature rose further and settled at a scorching 42.6 C though night hours provided some relief as the minimum was recorded at 25 degree Celsius. <br/>The hill state of Himachal Pradesh too witnessed marked increase in temperature and the maximum in Una settled at 42 degrees, a rise of two degrees from that of yesterday. <br/>Day temperatures also settled above normal at parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Konkan, Goa, south Madhya Maharashtra, coastal Karnataka and Vidarbha region.<br/>