With daytime temperatures already running several degrees above normal across many parts of northwest India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning about a heat wave likely to sweep across the region over the next five to six days.
According to the IMD bulletin issued on April 4, heat wave conditions are very likely to prevail over Punjab from April 6 to 9, parts of south Haryana and Delhi until April 9, and Himachal Pradesh between April 5 and 7.
A heat wave is classified when the maximum temperature rises by 4.5 to 6.4°C above the normal seasonal average, while a severe heat wave is declared if the departure exceeds 6.5°C. Over the next six days, a gradual rise in maximum temperatures by 4 to 5°C is expected across the affected states.
In Punjab, the highest maximum temperature during the last 24 hours was recorded in Bhatinda at 36.6°C. Day temperatures across all districts in the state were higher than usual by 1.6 to 3°C.
However, nighttime temperatures told a different story, with several areas in Punjab recording below-normal minimum temperatures by 1.5 to 3°C. Pathankot saw the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 12.5°C.
While Punjab remained dry over the last 24 hours, light to moderate rainfall occurred at isolated locations in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Despite sporadic showers in nearby regions, Punjab continues to face a significant rainfall deficit. The cumulative rainfall in the state during March and so far in April is 68 per cent below normal.
Currently, a western disturbance is prevailing over southwestern Rajasthan in the middle and upper tropospheric westerlies. In addition, a fresh western disturbance is expected to affect the western Himalayan region beginning April 8. This system may bring isolated rainfall to parts of Punjab on April 9 and 10, according to the IMD.
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