The unbearable heat wave continued unabated with many states recording maximum temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday, even as a traffic policeman perished in the torrid sun in Kolkata while on duty.

Akhliswar Kumar Rai, 58, who was on duty at Maniktala crossing, felt uneasy around 9.50 am and went to a nearby shop to sprinkle water on his head but soon fainted. He was taken to a local nursing home where he was declared brought dead.

In Kolkata, the highest temperature was 39 degrees Celsius. In nearby Orissa, people bore the brunt of the blazing sun as Jharsuguda had a high of 43.1 degrees and Hirakud and Sambalpura 42 each.

Though there were no official deaths in the state today, sources said six people died in Puri. The government, which had announced early summer vacations in schools from today, demanded declaration of the heat conditions as a natural calamity and adequate central assistance.

In the national capital, people were seen rushing to ice cream and juice stalls to beat the heat. In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi had a high of 43.1 degrees and capital Lucknow touched 41.4 Celsius. Mercury levels also rose in Rajasthan with Dholpur recording the highest of 42.4 degrees while Bundi, Barmer, Jalore, Churu and Ganganagar each had a high of 41.

The maximum temperatures in Punjab and Haryana remained three to six degrees above normal. Hisar in Haryana sizzled at 42.5 degrees while Chandigarh had a high of 40.8 and Patiala 40.6 degrees.