Ludhiana: An unusually wet start to April has provided city residents with a rare reprieve from the typical spring heat, with day temperatures plummeting nearly 15 degrees Celsius compared with the same period last year.Meteorological data reveals that for five out of the first seven days of April, maximum temperatures remained below seasonal norms. The cooling trend is being attributed to a significant increase in rainy days during the first week of the month, bucking the trend of the blistering heatwaves usually associated with the region’s transition into summer.A Dramatic Year-on-Year ShiftThe contrast between April 2025 and April 2026 is stark. While the first week of April last year saw temperatures consistently above 30°C — peaking at a sweltering 39.2°C — this year’s start has been characterized by mild and occasionally cool conditions. The weather department says the mercury dipped to a remarkable 24.2°C on April 7. By comparison, the lowest temperature during the same week last year was a much warmer 32.6°C.On most days this year, temperatures struggled to cross the 30-degree mark, a sharp departure from last year when four out of seven days exceeded 35°C. “The increase in rainy days during this first week has had a direct impact on the mercury,” a meteorological department official said. “We are seeing readings consistently lower than the historical averages for this time of year.”Health Risks Amid the CalmWhile residents have welcomed the “pleasant” break from the heat, the sudden fluctuations have raised concerns regarding seasonal illnesses. “The weather has been much more comfortable than last year,” said local resident Narinder Singh. “However, these sudden changes in temperature do pose potential health risks. One day it feels like summer, and the next it is quite cool.”Night Temp Hits Monthly LowThe cooling trend extended into the late hours this week. On Wednesday, Ludhiana recorded a minimum temperature of 14°C — the lowest night temperature recorded so far this month. This figure is 2.4 degrees below the seasonal average and 4.2 degrees lower than the previous night. Meanwhile, Wednesday’s maximum temperature settled at 26.7°C, remaining 6.6 degrees below normal despite a slight 2.5-degree climb from Tuesday’s low.
