Ludhiana: A relentless heatwave has pushed the city to its hottest day of the year, with temperatures touching the 40°C mark on Sunday and forecasters warning that the worst is yet to come.The maximum temperature recorded on Sunday was 40°C, a significant 4.5 degrees above the seasonal average. While the sun remained obscured by clouds for much of the day, residents described the atmosphere as “suffocating” due to the trapped heat.The current spike is approaching last year’s April peak of 41.3°C. However, the meteorological department predicts the mercury will climb further, potentially hitting 42°C by Friday. If reached, this would set a new record for the highest April temperature in recent years.Residents AdaptThe sudden surge has forced locals to alter their daily routines. Families are retreating indoors, with many preparing to activate air conditioning units weeks earlier than usual. “Even though it was cloudy, the heat was unbearable,” said local resident Gurjot Singh. “It felt suffocating, and I found myself drinking water constantly just to stay hydrated.”Kavita, a local homemaker, claims to have implemented a strict lockdown for her children during peak hours. “I didn’t allow my children to venture out between 11am and 2pm, even with the holiday. The way the temperature is increasing, we have no choice but to stay inside,” she said.The Week AheadThe weather is expected to remain dry and mostly clear for the next 48 hours, followed by partly cloudy conditions from Wednesday through Friday. Night temperature was recorded at 19°C on Sunday. The minimum is expected to dip slightly to 18°C on Monday before climbing steadily to 21°C by the weekend. Day temperatures are forecast to rise gradually from the current 40°C to a predicted high of 42°C by Friday.
