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 readings of 42.6degC, 42.2degC and 42degC, respectively. According to IMD, Punjab's average maximum temperature rose by 2.3degC compared to the day before and remained 3.1degC above normal. In Haryana, Sirsa, located on the Rajasthan-Punjab border, was the hottest, with a maximum temperature of 46.2degC. Rohtak followed at 45.2degC, with Hisar (44.4degC), Narnaul (44.3degC) and Bhiwani (44degC) also close behind. According to IMD, there was a rise of 1.9degC in average maximum temperature in Haryana over the past 24 hours, taking it 2.9degC above normal. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded 42degC. Weather experts attributed the sharp rise in temperatures to persistent dry and hot northwesterly winds prevailing over northwest India. Large parts of northwest India - including Punjab and Haryana - are expected to remain under the influence of these hot winds this week, keeping maximum temperatures in the range of 43degC to 47degC in several cities. The IMD classifies a heatwave in plains when the maximum temperature touches at least 40degC and the departure from normal is between 4.5degC and 6.4degC. A severe heatwave is declared when temperatures depart from normal by 6.5degC or more, or when actual maximum temperature exceeds 47degC. Amid intensifying heat across the state, the Punjab labour department has directed construction companies, factories and employers to take urgent measures to safeguard labourers and workers from extreme temperatures. The directions are learned to have been issued following a communication from the Union ministry of labour and employment. Among the key directives, the employers have been advised to avoid assigning outdoor work between 12 pm and 4 pm, considered the hottest part of the day. Authorities have also recommended slowing down the pace of work or deploying additional workers to reduce prolonged exposure to extreme heat....