Chandigarh:- Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi witnessed hotter than usual on Tuesday morning. The India Meteorological Department has issued a 'yellow' alert for heatwave in large parts of North India and warned that temperatures could reach dangerous levels in the next few days.
According to the Meteorological Department, heatwave is likely to continue in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi till at least May 24-25, during which the mercury may remain between 42°C and 45°C in many districts. The heatwave is intensifying in the plains due to dry westerly winds and lack of rain. Delhi recorded its hottest day of the season on Monday, where the temperature remained at 43.4°C and in some areas it even crossed 44°C. Similar heatwave conditions were also witnessed in many parts of Punjab and Haryana.
This time, this heat wave is not only worrying because of the high daytime temperatures, but also because of the continuous presence of "hot nights". Meteorologists say that now the nights are not getting the necessary coolness, which has increased the risk of dehydration, fatigue and heatstroke. This is having the greatest impact on children, the elderly and workers working outdoors.
This heat wave has started when the pre-monsoon storms in northwest India suddenly ended, due to which the sky became completely clear and the sun started shining directly and strongly. The Meteorological Department has warned that there is no possibility of rain or thunderstorms in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh for at least a week. This combination of prolonged dry weather, hot winds (hu) and rising night temperatures makes this period much more dangerous than a short-term heat wave. The Health Department has advised people to avoid direct sunlight between 12 noon and 4 pm and to drink as much water as possible.