Kolkata: At least eight people have died in various parts of West Bengal, as the state reeled under intense heatwave with the mercury crossing 40 degrees Celsius in several areas.

The situation will only get worse in the coming days with the meteorological department warning of a prolonged heatwave and temperatures expected to rise well above 40 degrees Celsius. The discomfort index shot to 64.7 in Kolkata, leaving people sweating and scurrying for shade. Even the minimum temperature was three degrees above normal at 29.5 degrees.

“There is a prevailing heatwave condition in various parts of West Bengal and it is expected to hit Kolkata as well. Once it hits the city, it could linger for another two to three days,” said G C Debnath, director Regional Meteorological Centre. “In Central India also, there is a heatwave situation from where the hot winds are blowing in. In West Bengal there is no likelihood of any rain, which will aggravate the situation. The present level of discomfort is expected to continue for at least one more week,” he said.

Several districts in the state witnessed unbearable temperatures resulting in deaths of some people. “The cab driver identified as Shatrughan Poddar (52) was found lying unconscious inside his taxi on Saturday. Later, he was pronounced dead at the hospital,” a police officer said.

Earlier on Friday, two people including a Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) employee, Moinuddin Ali and an undertrial prisoner Jitendra Tanti died as the mercury soared to record highs in several districts of the state. Sriniketan in Birbhum district recorded 44.2 degree centigrade temperatures, with Bankura recorded a high of 43.1, Asansol 42.8, Baharampur 42.2, Purulia 42, and Burdwan 41.

Three other deaths occurred in the coal belt of the state. Heat stroke killed a 78-year-old in Burdwan and Laboni Mundi, 40, of Egra in Ranigangj. Ganesh Barui, a resident of Shyamapur village near the Majia Thermal Power Station in Bankura, died at a health centre on Friday after taking ill from heat exposure the previous afternoon.

The city felt like an oven with intense humidity as doctors advised the elderly and children not to get outdoors. “Children and elderly are most vulnerable to such heat conditions. It is advised that they stay indoors till dusk. Also people should drink lots of fluids and avoid the afternoon heat,” said physician Dr Shyamal Deb.

“With hot winds blowing from the westerly direction, there is no respite from the same in the next few days,” said Debnath.