It is not even peak summer, yet Tamil Nadu is reeling under high temperature for last two days with mercury crossing more than the 40 degree mark. As the heat soars more than the usual average in more than 10 districts, the weather office has warned people not to venture out in the afternoon, here on Friday.

Dharmapuri district touched all time high on Friday with the temperature reaching 41 degree. The previous record was in 1998 when the district witnessed 41 degree temperature.

The temperature in Trichy, Vellore, Tiruttani and Tirupattur also touched 41 degree, with most of the people choosing to stay indoors. In Chennai the temperature was 39 degree celcius and most of the roads wore a deserted look during noon.

A latest weather bulletin on Friday evening said during the next 48 hours the temperature might rise to about two degree especially in coastal areas of the State. Heat wave would also continue to prevail during the same period.

However, heavy rain lashed the southern parts of Tamil Nadu during the last 24 hours with Ayikudi in Tirunelveli district receiving 20 mm rainfall. Erode too received 10 mm rain.

According to official sources, the setting of sea breeze was very late in the last one week and therefore, the heat conditions are heavy, especially in April.