Chandigarh: Tricity experienced the hottest day of the ongoing summer season on Monday. With the mercury soaring to a blazing 43.8°C, it was five degrees above normal, offering no respite to residents already grappling with intense heat.

The meteorological dept termed the rise as heat wave, a condition when the maximum temperature sees a departure between 4.5°C to 6.4°C.

Above that, a severe heat wave is considered. It is the first time in June that a heat wave was witnessed.The maximum temperature on Monday marked a significant 1.7°C rise from that of Sunday. The minimum temperature stood at 28°C, two degrees above normal, making even the early morning hours uncomfortably warm.

Streets wore a deserted look by afternoon, with people opting to stay indoors. Those who ventured out clung to water bottles and shaded spots, seeking any sliver of relief.Meteorologists predict no immediate end to the heat. The forecast suggests a mainly clear sky until June 13, with similar high temperatures expected to persist. A partly cloudy sky is anticipated only on June 14, but experts caution that it's unlikely to bring down the mercury significantly.

Sukhna water level declinesWith the summer temperatures rising, the water level of Sukhna Lake is on the decline. On Monday, the water level was recorded at 1,156 ft, around a foot lower than on Sunday. The maximum level of the lake is 1,163 ft, at which point the flood gates of the lake are opened."I was walking there for several years at the lake, but today it appeared to have a very low water level. At the regulator end, the fish seem to be dying because the water is totally shallow," said a resident.A senior UT engineering department official, however, said that the current water level is normal as per previous summer season standards. "Last year at this time, the water level was the same as currently being registered. As the monsoon hits, the water level will rise again," said the official.