CHANDIGARH, April 7: — The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday extended its heatwave alert across northwest India, forecasting continued high temperatures in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi for the next four days.
A yellow alert has been issued for Punjab from April 7 to 10, warning of persistent heatwave conditions with maximum temperatures likely to rise by another 2–4°C before a slight dip midweek.
The IMD bulletin noted that the ongoing heatwave, which has gripped parts of the region for five consecutive days, may ease slightly after a fresh western disturbance approaches the western Himalayan region on April 8. This system could trigger rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning in Punjab on April 10 and 11.
Neighbouring regions including Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand may also receive scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rain with gusty winds between April 9 and 11.
On April 6, Ballowal Saunkhri recorded the lowest minimum temperature in Punjab at 17.1°C, while the highest maximum temperature was 39.7°C. Daytime temperatures were reported to be 3.1 to 6°C above normal, and night temperatures showed a deviation ranging from 1.6 to 4.4°C above normal across the state.
According to the IMD’s March climate summary, the average maximum temperature over northwest India during the month stood at 28.99°C, exceeding the normal of 27.64°C. The average minimum was 17.79°C, compared to a normal of 16.94°C.
“March was significantly warmer than usual,” the summary stated, adding that it was the 11th highest average maximum and 12th highest average minimum recorded in India since 1901.
Rainfall for March was also deficient by 41.3 per cent over northwest India, contributing to the ongoing hot and dry spell. For the entire country, the rainfall shortfall stood at 32.6 per cent, according to IMD data.
While brief showers later this week may provide temporary respite, temperatures are expected to stay above normal, prompting the weather department to continue urging residents to take heat-related precautions.
