Ludhiana, May 26 -- The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a heat wave alert for Ludhiana for the next two days, followed by a warning of thunderstorms and gusty winds later in the week.

The department has issued a yellow alert for heat wave conditions on Monday and Tuesday, and an orange alert for severe heatwave on Wednesday. The maximum temperature on Monday was recorded at 42degC, which is 3.2degC above normal.

IMD defines a heat wave when the maximum temperature exceeds 40degC and is higher than normal by more than 4.5degC. A severe heat wave is declared when the departure from normal exceeds 6.4degC.

Ludhiana has already recorded higher temperatures this May compared to last year. On May 19, the city touched ...