Intense heat wave conditions continue unabated in the northern, western and central parts of the country. Shimla recorded its highest temperature in 170 years with the mercury settling at 32.4 degree celsius, 8.3 degrees above normal. <br/> <br/>Temperatures in other parts of Himachal Pradesh also hovered around the 40 degree mark. Mercury level in Dharamsala was 6.7 degrees above normal at 38.2 degrees. Dehradun in Uttarakhand recorded a maximum temperature of 39 degrees, 3 notches above the normal.<br/> <br/>The desert state of Rajasthan also experienced extreme temperature with Bikaner sizzling at 47.6 degrees and Jaisalmer recording a high of 47.4 degrees.<br/> <br/>In Gujarat, mercury remained above the 40 degree mark in most areas. Ahmedabad saw the maximum settle at 43.5 degrees while the maximum in Bhavnagar was 44.5 degree celsius. <br/> <br/>Haryana and Punjab too sizzled in the severe heat with the tempertures ranging from 43 to 47 degrees. Mercury settled at 40 degree celsius in Ambala while Ludhiana registered the maximum of 43 degrees.<br/> <br/>The national capital got some respite from the intense heat with dust haze enveloping the city. The maximum temperature was 43.8 degrees.<br/> <br/>In Madhya Pradesh, heat wave has started abating in most parts of the state except northern Madhya Pradesh. AIR Bhopal correspondent reports that in northern parts of the state conditions continue to scorch as mercury still remained stationed at a higher level with Khajuraho and Gwalior recording maximum of 46 degrees. <br/> <br/>However in other parts of the state temperatures dropped by two to three degrees compared to the levels being recorded during the past week. <br/> <br/>According to Met department heat wave conditions are abating as the wind direction has now become more westerly. It has predicted thunderstorm in Gwalior, Chambal and Ujjain Divisions in the next 24 hours. <br/><br/>