Chandigarh: Residents of Punjab and Haryana are likely to face several more days of extreme summer conditions, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting intense heatwave conditions accompanied by strong surface winds across both states until May 26.
The weather department has issued an orange alert, warning that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are expected to persist at many places on May 20, 21 and from May 24 to 26, while isolated areas could also experience similar conditions on May 22 and 23.
The latest temperature readings show a sharp rise across the region. In Punjab, Bathinda recorded the highest daytime temperature at 46.6 degrees Celsius, while the lowest night temperature was 23.2 degrees Celsius, shared by Bathinda and Ferozepur. Day temperatures in several districts remained up to 5.5 degrees above normal, while minimum temperatures stayed higher than usual by 3.1 degrees.
In Haryana, Rohtak emerged as the hottest location with a maximum temperature of 46.9 degrees Celsius. The district also recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 23.8 degrees Celsius. Day temperatures were reported to be as much as 6.9 degrees above seasonal averages, while night temperatures exceeded normal levels by up to 3.7 degrees.
Meteorologists have predicted dry weather conditions for both states over the next week, with no major relief expected as maximum temperatures are likely to remain largely unchanged.
The IMD has specifically cautioned that severe heatwave conditions could affect districts including Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Barnala, Mansa, Sangrur and Patiala in Punjab. In Haryana, intense heatwave conditions are likely to impact most parts of the state.
Despite the current dry spell, rainfall statistics indicate mixed trends. Haryana has recorded 25 per cent surplus rainfall for May so far, while Punjab remains 19 per cent below its long-term average for the month. Since March 1, Haryana has received 28 per cent above-normal rainfall, while Punjab has recorded 11 per cent above average seasonal precipitation.
According to the IMD, the prevailing weather pattern is being influenced by a western disturbance over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu region, along with an upper air cyclonic circulation over Punjab and nearby Pakistan. Another cyclonic circulation persists over central parts of north Uttar Pradesh.
These systems are likely to trigger isolated to scattered rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds over Jammu and Kashmir until May 22, Himachal Pradesh on May 21 and 23, and Uttarakhand on May 22 and 23. Jammu and Kashmir may also witness thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching up to 70 kmph on May 21.
Authorities have advised people in Punjab and Haryana to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, stay hydrated and take precautions against heat-related illnesses as temperatures remain dangerously high across the region.
