Ludhiana: A punishing heatwave has left residents prisoners in their own homes as temperatures nudge a blistering 44°C, but a dramatic shift in the atmosphere is about to break the spell.On a heat-exhausted Tuesday when business took a nap, the meteorological department issuing an orange alert for Thursday and Friday (June 11 and 12), predicting thunderstorms, hailstorms, and strong winds.The day’s maximum temperature of 43.6°C was 4.4 degrees above normal and 1.6 degrees higher than the previous day. Overnight temperatures offered little respite, settling at 26.4°C, one degree above average.Local markets report a big drop in foot traffic and business activity during peak daytime hours. Manpreet Kaur, a local homemaker, described why people stay indoors as much as possible: “The afternoon sun is too harsh. The hot winds make children and the elderly uncomfortable .”Another resident, Jaswinder Singh, said he now avoids commuting during peak afternoon hours to mitigate the risk of heat-related illnesses.An orange alert signals a high level of risk, urging residents to prepare for potential disruptions and health hazards. Meteorologists expect both day and night temperatures to drop steadily over the next three to four days following the anticipated rainfall.
