Red alert for severe heatwave in Chandigarh till tomorrow

Chandigarh continued to witness the intense heatwave conditions for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday with the mercury hovering over the 40° Celsius-mark since Sunday.

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Even as the maximum day temperature in the city today dipped by 2.1 degrees to 41.9° Celsius as compared to 44° Celsius recorded on Tuesday, the weathermen issued a red alert for severe heatwave at many places and warm nights at isolated places in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana till Friday. Tuesday remained the season’s hottest day here so far.

With no immediate relief from the scorching sun in the sight till next week, the India Meteorological Department has issued orange alert for heatwave coupled with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds at 40-50 kmph speed at isolated places in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana on Saturday, and yellow alert for thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds at 40-50 kmph speed at isolated places in the region on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

According to the Meteorological Centre here, the department’s observatory at Sector 39 recorded the highest maximum temperature of 41.9° Celsius while another observatory at the Indian Air Force (IAF) airport logged 41.4° Celsius on Wednesday.

The centre said the severe heatwave was recorded at few places in Punjab, while many places including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Halwara, Bathinda, Rohtak and Sirsa in the region witnessed heatwave. Besides, warm nights were observed at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana.

While Sirsa recorded the maximum of 46.6° Celsius, which was the highest in the region, Amritsar and Bathinda recorded the maximum of 45.8° Celsius to remain the hottest places in Punjab on Wednesday.

The MeT Department has predicted no major change in the maximum temperature for the next four days.

It said the temperatures in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula will remain maximum between 40 and 43 degree Celsius and minimum between 30 and 32 degree Celsius with no possibility of rain till Monday.

However, the minimum temperature in Chandigarh on Wednesday shot up to 31.7° Celsius, which was 3 degrees more than Tuesday’s minimum reading of 28.7° Celsius and above normal by 5.4 degrees.

Wednesday’s maximum day temperature in the city was 2.1 degrees above yesterday’s mercury reading and was above normal by 3.4 degrees.

While Rohtak, Sirsa, Amritsar and Bathinda remained the hottest places, Karnal and Ropar stayed the coolest towns in the region with the maximum day temperatures of 38.8 and 39.9 degree Celsius, respectively.

“Maximum temperatures will remain between 46 and 48 degree Celsius over southern and south-western parts of Punjab and Haryana, leading to severe heat wave conditions in the region till June 14,” said the MeT Department, while predicting respite from the scorching heat wave after June 14 when mercury will fall by 2 to 4 degrees.

“In view of the heat wave and warm night conditions during the next few days, all are advised to take adequate precautions,” said the weathermen.

ADVISORY

Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially during the peak hours

Stay hydrated

Wear lightweight, light-coloured loose cotton clothes

Cover your head using a cloth, hat or umbrella

To avoid heat stress in the crops, apply irrigation in evening or early morning hours

KNOW THE ALERTS

A red alert represents the most severe weather warning and implies a “take action” warning, urging the residents to avoid heat exposure, remain hydrated, and limit outdoor activity. It warns of a very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all age groups and advises extreme care for vulnerable individuals.

The four colours used by the weathermen are orange, red, yellow and green. As each shade represents a distinct degree of possible risk, people can adjust their level of readiness accordingly.

COLOUR CODES

Green alert (no advisory)

Yellow alert (be aware)

Orange alert (be prepared)

Red alert (take action)

WHAT IS HEAT WAVE

When maximum temperature crosses 40° Celsius in plains and 30° Celsius in hilly regions with maximum temperature departure from normal from 4.5 to 6.4 degrees, it leads to heat wave conditions. Severe heat wave is when maximum temperature departure from normal crosses 6.5 degrees.

WARM NIGHT

When maximum temperature remains 40° Celsius and minimum temperature departure remains between 4.5 and 6.4 degrees, it leads to warm night. Severe warm night is witnessed when minimum temperature departure goes past 6.4 degrees.