Patiala, May 19 -- After intermittent relief brought by Western Disturbances, sustained clear weather paved the way for a heatwave, leaving several stations across Punjab and Haryana reeling under intense heat on Monday.

No immediate respite is in sight, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for heatwave conditions till May 24, warning that temperatures could rise further by 1-2 degrees Celsius over the coming days as clear skies persist.

Bathinda emerged as the hottest place in Punjab, recording a blistering maximum temperature of 47degC. Faridkot also braved the heat at 46.4degC while Patiala sizzled at 44degC.

The day temperatures in Fazilka, Ludhiana and Amritsar were in the same ballpark, with read...