Heat wave sweeps Punjab, Haryana; Narnaul sizzles at 45.5, Patiala 43°C
Punjab and Haryana continued to reel under heat wave conditions on Monday with Narnaul being the hottest place at 45.5 degrees Celsius, even as the authorities issued a health advisory for people to prevent themselves from the sweltering weather.
The maximum temperatures in most parts of the states remained above the 40 degreeCelsius mark.
Hisar in Haryana braved hot weather conditions at 44 degrees Celsius, while Ambala and Karnal recorded their respective maximum at 41.8 degrees and 42 degrees Celsius respectively, MeT said.
Meteorological experts at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU) predicted dust storm and showers in some parts of Haryana between May 10 and May 13 which will bring some relief from sweltering heat.
Raj Singh, head of department, meteorological and agriculture department, said: “The temperature is expected to rise further on Tuesday.”
In Punjab, Amritsar’s maximum was 42.4 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal, while Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala recorded a high of 43.1 degrees, 42 degrees and 43 degrees Celsius, respectively. Special arrangements were made at the Golden Temple for the pilgrims to beat the heat.
According to LK Dhaliwal, head of school of climate change and agricultural meteorology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy at isolated places during next 24 hours. Sunil Kumar, a meteorologist at Doppler weather radar at Punjabi University, Patiala, said Sunday was hottest day of the season with 43.6 degree Celsius.
The searing heat has affected the normal life.
The city roads wear a deserted look in the afternoon.
Chandigarh recorded a maximum at 41.7 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal.
The MeT department said the heat wave conditions will prevail in next 24 hours at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana.
Meanwhile, Haryana’s health department issued an advisory for prevention of heat stroke, besides directing all civil surgeons to inspect emergency wards and ensure availability of necessary provisions for treating heat stroke cases.
“Emergency wards should have round-the-clock electricity supply and fans, coolers and air-conditioners should be functional,” said an official spokesman of the department.
As per the advisory, people should drink sufficient water. They should wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose and porous cotton clothes.
It also stresses on the usage of protective goggles, umbrellas, hats, shoes and chappals while stepping out in the sun.
“People should drink ORS and homemade drinks such as ‘lassi’, lemon water and buttermilk, which help in re-hydration,” the advisory said.
The people have also been advised to avoid high-protein and stale food, alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks, which dehydrate the body, it added.