Ludhiana: The relentless heat has made life difficult for residents as temperatures have remained above 40 degrees Celsius for the past five days. Stepping out under the blazing sun has become a daunting task, disrupting routine activities. However, there is a silver lining: the weather department has forecast possible rain over the next two days.
Temperature Soars Above Normal
On Monday, the day temperature reached 41 degrees Celsius, which is 2.8 degrees above normal. The night temperature was recorded at 24.8 degrees Celsius, 4.1 degrees above normal. A day earlier, the night temperature had touched 25 degrees Celsius, the highest this season. Clear skies and intense sunlight have contributed to the soaring mercury.
Yellow Alert Issued
The weather department has issued a yellow alert for the next two days, predicting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong surface winds. Day temperatures are expected to drop in the coming days, providing some relief.
Residents Struggle Daily
Everyday life has become a struggle for residents. Jaspreet Kaur, a homemaker from Dugri, said she avoids going out during the day and also restricts her children from stepping out. She has turned to traditional refreshing drinks like shikanji and chaach to cope with the heat. Another resident, Varinder Kumar, a professional from Chandigarh road, said he tries to finish most of his work before noon to avoid direct sun exposure. He finds the afternoon heat unbearable and wears protective clothing like caps and sunglasses when he must go out.
Temperature Trend
Day temperatures rose rapidly after April 7, reaching 40 degrees Celsius on April 19. Since then, the mercury has mostly stayed above 40 degrees Celsius. Here is the day temperature record from April 4 to April 27: April 4: 29.8, April 5: 31.0, April 6: 31.6, April 7: 24.2, April 8: 26.7, April 9: 27.8, April 10: 30.4, April 11: 30.9, April 12: 31.6, April 13: 34.0, April 14: 35.6, April 15: 37.0, April 16: 39.6, April 17: 36.6, April 18: 39.8, April 19: 40.0, April 20: 39.4, April 21: 39.0, April 22: 40.0, April 23: 40.6, April 24: 42.4, April 25: 42.2, April 26: 42.4, April 27: 41.0.
Forecast for Coming Days
The expected day temperatures for the next few days are: April 28: 41, April 29: 39, April 30: 39, May 1: 38. Residents hope the predicted rain will bring some respite from the scorching heat.
