Heatwave continues to grip Punjab, Haryana; warm nights add to misery

Bathinda: Heatwave conditions continued to prevail in Punjab and Haryana, while warm night conditions added to the discomfort on Sunday. Maximum temperatures ranged between 40°C and 46°C on Monday and remained appreciably above normal by 3.1°C to 5.0°C at at many places, while minimum temperatures hovered between 20°C and 26°C, also staying above normal (3.1°C to 5.0°C). As per the India Meteorological Department, a gradual fall in maximum temperatures by 3-5°C is likely over Northwest during April 28-May 1. Thunderstorm conditions started developing by Monday evening as the gusts started reaching Punjab from Ganganagar in Rajasthan.In Haryana, the highest maximum temperature was recorded at 44.4°C in Faridabad's Bopani, while Bathinda in Punjab logged 43°C.Punjab's average maximum temperature — above normal by 3°C — remained unchanged on Monday till 5.30 pm compared with Sunday. Haryana, meanwhile, recorded a rise of 0.3°C in average maximum temperature on Monday till 5.30 pm. The maximum temperatures were appreciably above normal by 3.3°C in the state.Heatwave conditions are declared when the maximum temperature rises above 40°C in the plains and 30°C in hilly regions, with a departure from normal of 4.5°C to 6.4°C.The rise in maximum temperatures is causing hardship for farmers arriving at grain markets in Punjab and Haryana to sell their wheat crop, as well as labourers working in the open.Meanwhile, due to a western disturbance, isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (speed reaching 30-40 kmph) is likely over Punjab and Haryana during April 27-30 and on May 2-3. Thunder squall (wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph) is likely over both the states on April 28 and 29.MSID:: 130555475 413 |