Heat intensifies in Pb, Haryana; Amritsar sizzles at 47.6 deg

Ludhiana, where the maximum was five degrees above normal, experienced its hottest day after the country's independence while Amritsar had earlier recorded all time highest maximum at 47.7 degrees C on May 21, 1978.

Blistering heat in the holy city, where the maximum was eight degrees above normal, forced most of the residents indoors.

Patiala also sizzled at a maximum of 46.2 degrees C, up six notches, breaking the record of past several years.

Chandigarh also sweltered under intense heat with maximum touching 45.1 deg C, up six notches.

In Haryana, scorching heat prevailed in Hisar, where mercury settled at 46.7 deg C, up five notches.

Rohtak also recorded the maximum at 46.7 deg C, up seven degrees, Bhiwani's high was 44.4 deg C, up four degrees and Narnaul sizzled at 46.3 deg C, up four notches.

Ambala also braved an extremely hot day at 45.9 deg C, six above normal while Karnal was sizzling at 45.2 deg C, up five degrees.

Karnal's previous highest maximum so far has been 46 deg C, recorded on May 29, 1962.

Among other places in the region which recorded maximum temperature hovering around or above 45 deg C included Jalandhar, Moga, Pathankot, Ferozepur and Gurdaspur in Punjab and Gurgaon, Kurukshetra, Jhajjar and Panchkula in Haryana.

The MeT has forecast no relief from the heat tomorrow, but by Sunday, the maximum temperature is likely to come down as Western Disturbance is approaching over the northern region.