Heat wave swept parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan and West Bengal today with Kolkata witnessing the hottest April in many years. In the national capital, mercury crossed the 40 degree mark for the first time in this summer.<br/><br/>Mercury soared to 44.6 degrees Celsius at Idar in Gijarat's Himmatnagar district. Some regions of the state are in the grip of heat wave and two persons have died due to suspected sun stroke in the western state.<br/><br/>Kolkata recorded 40.1 degrees which was the highest for this period of the season in several years.<br/><br/>Normal life was affected in Rajasthan as heat wave swept across the western parts of the desert state. Barmer and Churu were the hottest place in the state at a maximum temperature of 43.4 degrees each.