Bathinda: Heatwave conditions are beginning to take hold across North India, with maximum temperatures already rising sharply and set to climb further in the coming days. Several places in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh recorded temperatures 3.1°C to 5°C above normal till Sunday morning. The India Meteorological Department has forecast a further 2–4°C increase in maximum temperatures over Punjab and Haryana by April 24. Heat wave conditions are likely to affect pockets of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh between April 21 and 23, with warm night conditions also expected at isolated places in Haryana during the same period.The maximum temperatures were recorded over 40°C at certain places in Punjab and Haryana, while it remained between 37-40°C at most of the places in both the states.The rising temperatures are emerging as a concern for farmers arriving at grain markets across Punjab and Haryana to sell their wheat crop. Many are forced to spend days at procurement centres before their produce is lifted. Despite the soaring mercury, farmers allege that several mandis lack adequate arrangements for drinking water, adding to their hardship.However, the minimum/night temperatures so far have been reported slightly below or near the normal in Punjab and Haryana. The lowest minimum temperature of 19°C was observed at Ludhiana in Punjab over the plains of India on Saturday night.Gusty winds of 43 kmph in Faridkot, 38 kmph in Pathankot and 35 kmph in Amritsar districts were reported till the morning of April 18, while winds of 33 kmph were reported in Seobagh in Himachal Pradesh. MSID:: 130368881 413 |