Why a heatwave has gripped Punjab for the past four days?

Punjab has been reeling under an intense heatwave for the past four days — a period when the state typically expects pre-monsoon showers.On Thursday, the maximum temperature was 4.9°C above normal.

- GNS News Agency

The highest maximum temperature in the state was 46.8°C, recorded in Bathinda on Thursday and notch lower that Wednesday's 47.6°C. Heatwave conditions were also reported in Amritsar and Ludhiana with extreme warm nights in both places. The minimum temperature across the state was also 3.4°C above normal.Between April and May this year, the state witnessed around half a dozen heatwave days. But it seems June alone will match or surpass the number, as heatwave-like conditions are expected to continue till June 14, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) predictions.

What is the scientific definition of a heatwave and warm nights?

A heatwave is declared when temperatures exceed specific thresholds. In Punjab, this typically means a departure of 4.5°C to 6.4°C from the normal maximum daytime temperature, or maximum temperatures exceeding 45°C. A severe heatwave is declared when the temperature deviation is 6.5°C or more, or when maximum temperatures touch or exceed 47°C. For warm nights, the criteria include a departure of 4.5°C to 6.4°C above the normal minimum temperature. A deviation of over 6.4°C qualifies as a severe warm night.With June increasingly crossing these thresholds, the month is being mentioned more frequently in IMD heatwave bulletins compared to May.

What does this mean for Punjab?