Impossible as it may sound, the Celsius saw a marginal climbdown in Kolkata on Thursday.
The maximum temperature was two notches lower than it was on Wednesday because the humidity level went up.
The daytime was extremely uncomfortable as people sweated the most compared with the last three to four days. But a rise in the humidity levels brought a glimmer of hope, said Met officials.
Heat and humidity are the two main ingredients for thunderstorms, the only agents of relief from the sultry conditions this time of the year.
The Met forecast ruled out uniform and widespread rain in Kolkata over the next 48 hours (till April 6). "But the build-up for thunderstorm activities has begun with a rise in the humidity level," said a Met official.
On Wednesday, the minimum relative humidity was 23 per cent. On Thursday, it rose to 55 per cent. The maximum temperature on Wednesday was 37.1 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal. On Thursday, it came down to 35.8 degrees, still a notch above normal.
A tour of the city made clear the impact of the heat assault.
Two cobblers sitting with their wares at Esplanade had placed their umbrellas in such a way that it blocked sunlight. In the Maidan area, cars were parked under trees.
A woman walking on Amherst Street around 12.30pm did not leave an inch of her face uncovered. A bunch of boys bathing in the Hooghly at the Kumartuli ghat seemed to be having the time of their lives.
St Xavier's College (Autonomous) announced on Thursday that it will hold online classes on Friday and Saturday.
"We have shifted to online classes on Friday and Saturday because of the heat. If it continues to be like this, we will continue with online classes next week, too," said Father Dominic Savio, principal, St Xavier's College.
The students come walking or by train or car, and it was getting "exhausting" for them in this sultry weather, the principal said.
Doctors in Kolkata advised caution, especially for children, the aged and the infirm, and people with medical conditions.
"Children should avoid direct exposure to sunlight, stay hydrated and wear light cotton clothes," said paediatrician Apurba Ghosh, director of the Institute of Child Health.
Chandramouli Bhattacharya, an infectious disease specialist at Peerless Hospital, said "people of extreme age, and those with medical conditions should be extra cautious and try to remain indoors as much as possible".
The sultry conditions are likely to persist till at least April 6, said a Met bulletin issued on Thursday.
"Due to the prevailing mainly dry westerly wind over the region, heat wave condition/hot and discomfort (uncomfortable) weather is very likely to occur over the districts of south Bengal from April 4 to 6," said the bulletin.
On Thursday, the Celsius rose to 39.8 degrees in Bankura and West Burdwan.
"On April 5, heatwave conditions are likely to prevail at one or two places over Purulia, Bankura, East and West Burdwan, Birbhum, Jhargram, East and West Midnapore districts of South Bengal. Humid and uncomfortable weather is likely to prevail over rest districts of south Bengal," the Met bulletin said.
"On April 6, heatwave conditions are likely to prevail at one or two places over Purulia, Bankura, East and West Burdwan, Birbhum, Jhargram, South 24-Parganas, East and West Midnapore districts of south Bengal. Humid and uncomfortable weather is likely to prevail over rest districts of south Bengal."