Patiala, April 17 -- The mercury soared to 40.7deg Celsius in Bathinda, marking an early onset of summer in the state, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that temperatures will continue rising for the next 10-15 days.

Five other cities in Punjab recorded temperatures above 35deg Celsius. This is the first time this season that any district in the state has crossed the 40degC threshold.

The country's nodal weather agency on Thursday said that the average maximum temperature in the state is currently 3.5degC above normal.

The IMD indicated that maximum temperatures in the state are likely to remain above normal by 2-4degC in the coming days.

"Although heatwave conditions have not yet been officially declared, the sit...