Chandigarh and neighboring States of Punjab and Haryana continued to reel under the scorching heat with the maximum temperature touching an average of 45 degree Celsius in the region on Thursday.
The holy city of Amritsar witnessed its hottest day ever on Thursday. The Sikh’s shrine city sizzled at maximum temperature of 48 degree Celsius, nine notches above normal. According to the Met Department, the previous hottest day was registered on May 21, 1978 when the city had recorded 47.7 degree Celsius.
In Chandigarh, the maximum temperature soared to 43.8 degree Celsius, six notches above normal. In May 2012, the city had recorded highest maximum temperature of 44.8 degree Celsius on May 31 while the all time highest temperature recorded was 46.5 degree Celsius on May 28, 1988.
Meanwhile, the maximum temperature in most places across Punjab and Haryana hovered above 45 degrees Celsius. The scorching weather conditions continued in the neighboring States with maximum temperatures remaining six-nine degrees above normal levels in various parts.
In Haryana, Hisar braved the blistering heat at maximum temperature of 47.3 degree Celsius, six degrees above normal. Among other places, Ambala recorded a high of 45.1 degree Celsius, six notches above normal, Bhiwani settled at a maximum of 46 degree Celsius, Narnaul sizzled at 46 degrees Celsius and Karnal recorded 45.6 degree Celsius, seven notches above normal.
In Punjab, the industrial city of ludhiana braved a hot day at a maximum of 46.5 degrees Celsius, eight notches above normal and Patiala recorded a high of 45.9 degrees, up by seven degrees from normal.
The neighboring State of Himachal Pradesh also continued to reel under sweltering heat conditions. Una recorded a maximum temperature of 45.2 degrees Celsius, eight degrees above normal, followed by Kangra at 41.5 degrees Celsius and Sundernagar at 41.1 degree Celsius. Bhuntar in Kullu recorded maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius and capital city Shimla settled at a high of 30.8 degree Celsius, seven notches above normal.
According to the Met Department, no respite from the sweltering heat is expected in the coming days as the temperature will further rise.
“The next 48 will be dry and hot and the temperature is expected to go up by few degrees. Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to continue in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh during next 48 hours,” predicted the Met Department.