Chandigarh is experiencing an intense heatwave, with the weather turning more severe by the day. On Wednesday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 41.9°C, a drop of 2.1°C from Tuesday’s scorching 44°C. However, this minor dip has brought no real relief as conditions remain extremely hot, and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for severe heatwave in Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana until Friday.
The red alert means the situation is serious, and people are being advised to take strict precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses. The temperatures have remained above the 40°C mark for the last four days in Chandigarh. Nights have also been warmer than usual, with the minimum temperature reaching 31.7°C on Wednesday—3°C higher than Tuesday and 5.4°C above the seasonal average.
Across the region, several cities are witnessing extreme temperatures. Sirsa recorded the highest at 46.6°C, while Amritsar and Bathinda were not far behind at 45.8°C. In contrast, Karnal and Ropar were the coolest places with maximum temperatures of 38.8°C and 39.9°C, respectively.
According to the Met department, the heatwave is likely to continue until at least June 14, with temperatures in southern Punjab and Haryana expected to touch 48°C. A slight drop of 2 to 4°C may occur after June 14, but until then, residents will have to bear the heat.
The IMD has also issued an orange alert for Saturday due to the possibility of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of up to 50 km/h at isolated places in the region. A yellow alert is in place for Sunday through Tuesday, with similar weather patterns expected.
Two observatories in Chandigarh—Sector 39 and the IAF airport—recorded high temperatures of 41.9°C and 41.4°C, respectively, showing how widespread the heat is across the city.
The IMD has advised people to avoid going out during peak heat hours, wear light cotton clothes, stay hydrated, and cover their heads with a cloth or cap. Farmers are also advised to irrigate crops in the early morning or evening to reduce heat stress.
Understanding the warning levels is important:
- Green means all is normal.
- Yellow means be aware.
- Orange means be prepared.
- Red means take action immediately.
A heatwave is declared when temperatures rise above 40°C with an abnormal increase of 4.5 to 6.4°C from the normal. A severe heatwave is when the rise is over 6.4°C. Similarly, a warm night occurs when the night temperatures are significantly above normal, making it difficult for the body to cool down.
Until next week, there is no sign of rain or relief from this extreme heat. The authorities are urging people to take all necessary steps to protect themselves, especially the elderly, children, and those with health issues.
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