Heatwave scorches Punjab, Haryana and HP; relief likely from May 29

Bathinda/Shimla: Severe heatwave conditions continued across Punjab, Haryana and parts of Himachal Pradesh on Monday, disrupting outdoor activity and farm operations, even as the weather department forecast relief from May 29 with rain, thunderstorms, hail and a sharp fall in temperatures.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said heatwave conditions were likely to persist in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh till May 28, with severe heatwave conditions expected in some areas on May 26 and 27.The IMD forecast no significant change in temperatures till May 28, followed by a gradual fall of 6-8°C between May 29 and 31. Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds is likely over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on May 30 and 31, while thundersqualls with wind speeds of up to 70 kmph are expected on May 28 and 29. Hailstorm activity is also likely in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.Haryana remained the hottest, with Sirsa recording 46.2°C, the highest in the region. Bathinda in Punjab recorded 44.7°C. Heatwave conditions prevailed in many parts of Haryana and isolated pockets of Punjab, where temperatures remained up to 5°C above normal.The weather department also issued a heatwave alert for isolated parts of Himachal Pradesh on May 26 and 27. Districts including Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur are likely to face heatwave conditions, while an orange alert has been issued for hailstorms, lightning and gusty winds in Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts on May 28 and 29.The intense heat affected farmers engaged in cotton sowing and direct seeding of rice (DSR).Authorities have issued advisories urging people to avoid exposure during peak afternoon hours and take precautions against heat-related illnesses.REGION SIZZLESSirsa (Haryana): 46.2°CRohtak: 45.2°CBathinda (Punjab): 44.7°CNarnaul: 44.2°CBhiwani: 44°CAmbala/Patiala: 43.6°CHisar: 43.3°CKarnal/Chandigarh: 42.7°CLudhiana: 42°CUna (HP): 41.6°CGurugram: 41.6°CPathankot: 41.2°CMohali: 40.7°CAmritsar: 40.6°CFerozepur: 40.4°CShimla: 29.3°CDharamshala: 34°CManali: 23.8°CKukumseri/Keylong minimum: 4.6°C eachMSID:: 131311175 413 |