Chandigarh: Punjab and Chandigarh are set to witness an extended spell of harsh summer conditions after the Meteorological Centre issued a yellow alert for severe heatwave conditions expected to continue until May 24.
Weather officials have warned that at least 10 districts across Punjab are likely to remain under intense heat stress today, while Chandigarh is also expected to experience heatwave conditions as temperatures continue to climb.
Bathinda recorded the highest temperature in the state on Monday, with the mercury touching a blistering 47 degrees Celsius, making it one of the hottest locations in North India.
Meteorologists attribute the sharp rise to strong hot and dry winds arriving from western and south-western regions, particularly desert belts stretching across Rajasthan and parts of Pakistan.
Experts say these dry continental winds have had the strongest impact on Punjab’s Malwa belt, where temperatures have surged well above normal seasonal averages.
The state’s maximum temperature has risen by more than two degrees Celsius over the past 24 hours and currently remains around three degrees above normal for this time of year.
The extreme weather has also pushed electricity demand to seasonal highs.
Punjab’s power consumption crossed 13,500 megawatts during peak hours on Monday, forcing authorities to draw a substantial share of electricity from the central grid to maintain uninterrupted supply.
In Chandigarh, authorities have issued public advisories urging residents to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours and avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight.
Government offices, malls, educational institutions and large commercial establishments have been instructed to keep air-conditioning settings between 24 and 25 degrees Celsius to reduce power strain.
Health authorities have also stepped up preparedness by activating dedicated heatstroke wards in government and recognised private hospitals across Punjab.
Emergency medical supplies, ORS packets and cooling support systems have been stocked, while residents facing heat-related distress can seek immediate assistance through the 104 helpline.
Schools across Chandigarh have also received safety instructions to shield students from prolonged exposure to the sun.
Outdoor activities are being shifted to cooler periods of the day, and institutions have been directed to ensure sufficient drinking water and regular hydration breaks for children.
According to the latest forecast, heatwave conditions are expected to expand further from May 20 onward, affecting more than 20 districts including Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Mohali, Sangrur, Pathankot and Amritsar.
As for rainfall relief, weather experts say there is little immediate hope.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre explained that no active western disturbance is currently influencing North India, resulting in clear skies and uninterrupted solar heating.
With no major weather system expected to develop in the coming days, temperatures are likely to rise another two to three degrees before any noticeable relief arrives.
