India is popular for the scorching heat in summer and now that the season has arrived, mercury levels in several parts of the country are steadily rising. Summer in India usually begins in March and continues through September. The heat is often accompanied by blackouts and water scarcity.

Read also : Heavy and widespread rain likely over eastern and northeastern India for the next 5 days

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), these places are the hottest on June 23:

Churu is currently the hottest place in the country with a maximum temperature of 42.1 degrees Celsius.

Followed by Pilani, still in Rajasthan with a maximum temperature of 41.7 degrees Celsius.

Sawai Madhopur is third, with the mercury reaching 41.6 degrees Celsius.

Agra in Uttar Pradesh is also in the top five with 41.2 degrees its maximum temperature.

Alwar in Rajasthan is also among the five hottest places in India with its maximum temperature of 41.1 degrees Celsius.

IMD data showed these places to be the coldest in India on June 23:

Leh is at the top with a minimum temperature of 6.7 degrees Celsius.

Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir is in second place with a minimum temperature of 7.2 degrees Celsius.

Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir is freezing cold with a minimum temperature of 9.5 degrees Celsius.

Tracked by Kupwara on Union territory with a minimum of 11.2 degrees Celsius.

Kalpa in Himachal Pradesh has a minimum temperature of 11.6 degrees Celsius.

The IMD has also predicted that the monsoon will elude Delhi for another week. Delhi also faces scorching heat on Wednesday with a maximum temperature of 40.5 degrees Celsius. Monsoon progress is also unlikely in parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, according to the Met Department.