Chandigarh faces heat wave for second day, temps likely to rise

Time of India

a day ago

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Chandigarh: The Tricity experienced a heat wave for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, with the season's highest temperature reaching 43.9 degrees Celsius. Factoring in humidity, the feels-like temperature was around two degrees higher.
The humidity ranged between 19% at 5:30 pm and 48% at 8:30 am. It was the highest in the morning hours and kept decreasing as the day progressed. Compared to Monday, the maximum temperature rose slightly from 43.8 degrees to 43.9 degrees, the highest day temperature so far this season.
Tuesday's temperature was five degrees above normal, which is recorded as a heat wave condition by the weather department. A heat wave, which is counted when the maximum temperature sees a departure between 4.5 degrees to 6.4 degrees, is expected to stay for two to three days ahead, causing much discomfort.
Also, as per the forecast, there is no relief in sight from hot conditions at least until June 14. There is a forecast of a 44-degree maximum temperature on Wednesday and Thursday. The weekend could bring some relief.
"Though there is no rain forecast in the near future so far, from the night of June 14 onwards and on June 15, some thunderstorm activities are expected, which are likely to provide some relief," Surender Paul, director, Chandigarh meteorological department, told TOI.
He said after June 18, there could be some rainy development. So far, the rain has been deficient in June. The seasonal rainfall departure is 50.5% less than normal so far. It has rained 16.5 mm until now in June. But, with an advanced monsoon forecast in sight, this gap is expected to be breached soon.
Paul said though the day's temperature was 43.9 degrees, considering humidity, it felt about one to two degrees more than that.
The minimum temperature on Tuesday was 28.7 degrees, which is two degrees above normal. It is expected to rise by two to three more degrees over the next three days.
Transformer fire in Pkl 'due to heat'
Panchkula: Panic gripped residents of Sector 8 on Tuesday evening after an electric transformer emitted smoke and flames. The incident, reported at 6:26 pm, occurred just metres away from residential homes. Although the fire had subsided by the time a fire tender arrived, the event has reignited concerns over safety.
"There was a loud noise, followed by smoke. Everyone got scared," said a resident living near the transformer.
According to the fire department, Panchkula has seen a noticeable rise in transformer and meter fires in recent days. They attribute this trend to two key factors: soaring summer temperatures and increased electricity consumption.
Residents Say Warnings Ignored
Residents claim they have been raising concerns about transformers for years, but no action has been taken.
Customer Care Woes
"There have been frequent power outages here. When I called the 1912 complaint number, it didn't work. Another number, 18001801550, transferred the call, but it got disconnected and no help was extended," said Sagar, a resident of Sector 21.
Frequent Power Cuts
As temperatures continue to rise, residents across Panchkula are grappling with frequent and unscheduled power cuts. "Every summer this scenario is witnessed," said a resident.
Intermittent power cuts in Mohali
Mohali: The power situation in Mohali remains fragile with intermittent outages, though the overall condition looks under control. Residents who previously endured severe power cuts ranging from 5-15 hours a day now report some relief, with current outages limited to short, staggered durations of 15-30 minutes through the day.
Officials from the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) said efforts are ongoing to stabilise supply.
Areas like Zirakpur and Kharar, which were among the worst affected earlier, have seen improvement. Residents noted that while prolonged cuts have largely disappeared, minor disruptions during the day persist.
Heat wave advisory
Mohali: The health department has issued a heat wave advisory, urging residents to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses.
Civil Surgeon Dr Sangeeta Jain said the health department has made necessary arrangements to handle heat-related medical emergencies.
"The weather remains extremely hot these days. People, especially children and the elderly, need to protect themselves from the adverse effects of heat. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heatstroke," she said.
Dr Jain cautioned that symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, vomiting, red or dry skin, and muscle weakness could be indicators of heat-related illness.
Residents can contact the Medical Helpline at 104 for assistance.
Do's:
· Keep windows and doors shut during the day
· Drink water, lassi, lemonade, or other fluids frequently — at least every half hour
· Wear light-coloured clothes, sunglasses, and head coverings while outdoors
· Sit in shaded or cool areas when outside and consume seasonal fruits
Don'ts:
· Avoid going out in the peak afternoon heat
· Do not leave children or pets inside parked vehicles
· Refrain from consuming alcohol, tea, or coffee during the day
· Avoid cooking during the hottest hours and ensure proper kitchen ventilation