8 killed as heat wave continues to grip Punjab, Haryana

The ongoing heat wave conditions in most parts of Punjab and Haryana  continued unabated on Friday, claiming at least eight lives and forcing people in the region to confine indoors.

While six persons lost their lives due to intense heat wave in Punjab, two died in Haryana in the past three days, officials said in Chandigarh on Saturday.

In Punjab, three persons lost their lives in Amritsar, two in Ferozepur and one in Tarn Taran, whereas in Haryana one each died in Hisar and Sirsa.

All the eight deaths took place due to heat wave, officials said.

According to the meteorological office in Chandigarh, there are no chances of relief from heat wave in the next couple of days. The Met forecast that the maximum temperature will hover between 41 to 43 degrees Celsius at most of the places in the region.

Warm winds will also sweep the region and dust storms might strike in some areas, the Met office said, attributing the unusually high temperature in the region to the absence of western disturbances. Chandigarh is braving high temperatures of 43 degrees Celsius, the Met said.

In the wake of the intense heat wave, most of the markets in the region have been wearing a deserted look in the afternoons. The day temperature of the region, which is likely to hover between 41 to 43 degrees Celsius, will exactly be known towards the evening.

Meanwhile, frequent interruption of power supply and low pressure of water added to the woes of the people in the region.

Due to torrid heat conditions, water levels in most of the rivers, including Beas, Ravi and Sutlej had sharply fallen down, officials said.

The water level of Bhakra Dam had come down to 1563.72 foot and that of Pong Dam to 1309.59 foot, they said, adding that the fall in the levels of water is up to ten foots in both the dams.

In most parts of Punjab and Haryana, including Chandigarh, Hisar and Amritsar have been facing the hottest days in the past decade in the month of May, officials said.