LUCKNOW, Sept. 26 -- With the southwest monsoon withdrawing from more parts of western Uttar Pradesh, day and night temperatures soared across the state on Friday, leaving commuters struggling with the heat, especially in the afternoon. The minimum temperatures, in particular, have gone several notches above normal.

In the state, Kanpur IAF meteorological station was the hottest at 38.2degC, while the minimum there settled at 29.4degC. Basti was not too far behind at 38degC (3.8 degrees above normal), while Sultanpur recorded 37.5degC, Bahraich 37degC and Gorakhpur 36.9degC. In Lucknow, the maximum temperature was 36.3degC (3.1 degrees above normal) and the minimum 27.6degC (four degrees above normal).

According to met officials, the fo...