Chandigarh, March 8 -- The heat is on - suddenly - and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has taken note. With temperatures climbing sharply in the first week of March itself, the department issued an early heat advisory on Saturday, urging residents to take precautions as the mercury is expected to hit the 35degC mark in the next few days.

Winter's swift departure has been noticeable across the city. From 29degC on March 1, the maximum temperature climbed to 32.7degC on March 7, 6.4 degrees above normal, leaving residents feeling the heat much earlier than usual.

Just two days ago, the maximum temperature had peaked at 33.1degC on Thursday, nearly 8 degrees above normal.

Unlike most years, when March offers a gradual transition...