Ludhiana: The city grapples with an intense heatwave as temperatures soared to a four-year high for April, prompting the weather office to issue a “yellow alert” for the region.Meteorologists reported that intense sunshine had pushed the mercury significantly above seasonal norms, resulting in both scorching days and unseasonably warm nights. The heat has forced many residents to retreat indoors, with parents keeping children home from school to avoid the health risks associated with the spike in temperature.The heatwave is expected to persist through the weekend. However, relief may be on the horizon, with rain predicted to sweep through the area by Tuesday and Wednesday. This shift in weather is expected to significantly lower the maximum temperature by the end of the week.Since a yellow alert has been sounded to warn of potentially adverse weather, people are advised to take certain precautions during these conditions. They need to limit exposure (avoid direct sunlight during peak heat hours of 11am to 4pm), dress appropriately (wear lightweight, light-coloured, and loose-fitting cotton clothing to aid cooling), use protection against sunrays (cover your head with a hat, umbrella, or cloth when outdoors to prevent heatstroke), and hydrate (increase water intake regardless of activity levels to counteract dehydration).Local residents described a desperate struggle to remain cool as the heat peaked. Sandeep Singh, who collected his son from school at 2pm, noted the sunshine was “intense”, requiring the pair to retreat to an air-conditioned room and hydrate immediately upon returning home. Similarly, homemaker Harpreet Kaur remained indoors all Saturday, keeping her children confined to the house to avoid the significant health risks posed by the soaring temperatures.
