Patiala, April 26 -- A severe heatwave is sweeping Punjab, with Faridkot recording the highest maximum temperature on Saturday at a scorching 45.2degC.

Bathinda was the second hottest in the state at 44.2degC, followed by Patiala at 42.5degC, Ludhiana at 42.2degC, Chandigarh at 41degC and Amritsar at 40.3degC.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the average maximum temperature across Punjab was significantly above normal, by around 5degC.

The intense daytime heat has been compounded by unusually warm nights with minimum temperature also going about 5degC above normal, offering little relief to residents.

Meteorological officials said that both day and night temperatures were running significantly above normal, crea...