Chandigarh: Punjab and Chandigarh are heading into an intense spell of summer heat, with the weather department forecasting heatwave conditions for nearly a week and no immediate relief through rainfall.
The Meteorological Centre in Chandigarh has sounded a yellow alert for several districts, warning residents to prepare for rising temperatures and prolonged dry weather conditions.
Districts including Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Bathinda and Mansa are expected to face the harshest impact as hot winds sweep across the region.
Officials said temperatures have risen further compared to the previous day, with Bathinda recording the highest temperature at 43.1 degrees Celsius.
Several other districts also crossed the 40-degree mark, indicating a widespread rise in daytime heat across the state.
Patiala touched 42 degrees, Ludhiana recorded 41.6 degrees, while Pathankot and Bathinda remained above 40 degrees.
Chandigarh also experienced a sharp rise, with temperatures touching 40.3 degrees Celsius.
Weather experts noted that north-westerly hot winds are intensifying heat across Punjab, pushing daytime temperatures steadily upward.
The sharpest increase was recorded in Pathankot, where temperatures climbed by 3.2 degrees in a single day.
Amritsar, Mohali, Ludhiana and Chandigarh also witnessed noticeable temperature jumps, adding to discomfort levels.
According to weather officials, conditions are expected to remain largely dry for the coming days, ruling out any immediate possibility of rain.
Maximum temperatures could increase by another 3 to 4 degrees over the next four days before stabilising at elevated levels.
The India Meteorological Department has advised residents to avoid direct exposure to sunlight during peak afternoon hours and stay hydrated.
Children, senior citizens and those with medical conditions have been urged to take extra precautions as heat-related illnesses could rise.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is expected to approach Kerala around May 26, though slight variation in arrival remains possible.
Meteorologists are also tracking a western disturbance active over Iran, which may later influence weather systems across North India.
If conditions evolve favourably, isolated thunderstorm activity may develop in some northern areas later, though Punjab currently remains under dry and severe heat stress.
Heatwave conditions are expected to affect more districts in the coming days, with alerts extending across major parts of the state through May 21.
