Chandigarh, June 14, 2025 — The relentless heatwave sweeping across Punjab has claimed three lives so far, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for several districts in the state. The toll rose on Friday with two fresh deaths reported from Moga and Pathankot, adding to the earlier casualty in Amritsar.
All three victims remain unidentified, and investigations are underway to trace their identities. The deaths have highlighted the growing human cost of the ongoing extreme weather conditions, as mercury levels refuse to drop.
Bathinda recorded a sweltering 46°C six degrees above the seasonal average marking one of the hottest days this summer.
Surendra Pal, Director of the Meteorological Department in Chandigarh, stated that while the monsoon is expected to reach Punjab by June 25, some respite is anticipated through pre-monsoon showers in the coming days.
In the interim, a red alert remains in effect, and authorities are urging residents to take preventive measures. People are advised to avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak hours, stay adequately hydrated, and check on vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly and young children.
Health and emergency services are on standby as the state government continues to monitor the situation closely, hoping to avoid further tragedies linked to the unforgiving heat.
