With the heatwave having claimed eight lives in Punjab and Haryana, BSF soldiers patrolling the Indo-Pak border have got their menu changed to include special lassi and lemon.
The temperature in Amritsar has crossed 48 degrees, breaking a 30-year record, while it is a bit higher at the international border, about 20 km from here. At regular intervals from noon onwards, the soldiers are given ‘chati di lassi’ and ‘nimbo pani’ (lemon). The revised menu also includes curd and salad with cucumber, tomato, onion, and green pepper. And water coolers have been installed at every corner.
The heatwave conditions in most parts of the states continued unabated on Monday. While six persons lost their lives due to the intense heatwave in Punjab (three in Amritsar, two in Ferozepur and one in Tarantarn), two died in Haryana (one each in Hisar and Sirsa).
According to the Met department, there is no chance of relief in the next couple of days.
The maximum temperature will, however, remain between 41 to 43 degrees in most of the region. Warm winds and dust storms might strike in some areas.