LUCKNOW: The state was reeling under severe heat wave on Sunday with unrelenting sun and hot gusty winds people to crave for early respite from the hard weather.

As Allahabad, Varanasi, Kanpur and Lucknow vied for being the hottest on the day, it was Allahabad that baked at 46 degrees Celsius.

The city witnessed the hottest day of the year so far with the mercury touching the highest mark.