Severe Heatwave Alert Issued in Punjab-Chandigarh; Elderly, Children Advised to Avoid Sun Exposure

May 19, 2026

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heatwave alert in Punjab-Chandigarh today. The alert, issued at 2 PM, advises people to take precautions while going out in the sun. People may suffer from heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses due to extreme heat and scorching sun. Children, the elderly, and those who are already ill may be at greater risk.

People have been advised to avoid going out in extreme heat and to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water whenever thirsty. Keep consuming items like ORS, lassi, lemonade, and buttermilk. While going outside, wear loose-fitting cotton clothes in light colors and cover your head with a cloth, cap, or umbrella.

Moreover, there is a high likelihood of a heatwave continuing in both places until May 25. During this period, hot winds will blow at a speed of 20-30 km per hour. The wind speed may go up to 40 km per hour. In such conditions, people going outside will have to endure the heatwave. According to the department, last night Chandigarh’s temperature was 5.1°C higher than normal and Punjab’s temperature was up to 5.0°C higher than normal.

This means that now nights are also getting very hot very quickly after the days. On Monday, the hottest district was Bathinda, where the maximum temperature reached 47 degrees.

3 Major Effects of Rising Heat

Increase in electricity demand: Due to the continuously increasing heat in Punjab, the demand for electricity is also rising rapidly. On Monday during the day, for the first time this season, electricity demand reached 13,555 megawatts. By 5 PM, this demand fell to 12,000 megawatts and by 7 PM dropped further to 10,174 megawatts. Punjab’s electricity production capacity is 4,500 megawatts daily. Therefore, about 9,000 megawatts of electricity had to be purchased from the central pool.
Advice in Chandigarh to not set AC below 24 degrees: Regarding the heat, the Chandigarh administration issued an advisory saying that people should not go out during peak sunlight hours. Special staff were deployed in hospitals to prevent heat-related issues. In all government departments, educational institutions, malls, hotels, and large commercial establishments, AC temperatures should be maintained between 24 to 25 degrees Celsius.

Heat stroke wards, helpline numbers issued in hospitals: Special ‘heat stroke wards’ have been established in all government and recognized hospitals in Punjab. All hospitals have been instructed to ensure 24×7 availability of essential life-saving medicines and ORS packets for the treatment of heat-related illnesses. People can call the helpline number 104 to receive medical assistance.
Heat advisory issued for schools in Chandigarh: The Chandigarh administration has issued a heat safety advisory for government, government-aided, and private schools. The administration has stated that during school hours, children, especially those in pre-primary and primary classes, should be protected from direct sunlight.

Schools have been instructed to conduct outdoor activities like sports and half-day programs during the cooler times of the day or in shaded areas. Additionally, they have been asked to ensure the availability of clean and sufficient drinking water within the school premises. Instructions have also been given to properly maintain water coolers and keep the children hydrated at all times.

The administration stated that if any child shows symptoms related to heat, medical assistance should be provided immediately. Parents and attendants have also been asked to be made aware of taking necessary precautions while bringing children to and from school.

What will the weather be like for the next 3 days?
According to the Meteorological Center, a heatwave will occur in 22 districts from May 20 to 23. These districts include Firozpur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Bathinda, Barnala, Mansa, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, and SAS Nagar (Mohali).

Why is it so hot in Punjab? Learn from the expert
Dr. Shivinder Singh, an officer at the Meteorological Center Chandigarh, says – Our rainfall activity has ended. Now there is no western disturbance, which is why we are mainly getting clear skies. Because of this, the sun’s temperature rises and due to the absence of clouds, the temperature has reached around the normal temperature for this season. In the coming days, it will increase further and may rise by 2 to 3 degrees.