Traces of rain, hail in North West region

Chandigarh, Feb 26 (UNI) Cyclonic disturbances over Punjab, Haryana and Pakistan brought light showers accompanied by hail to the North West breaking its month-long dry spell and fast movement towards the summer.

The dark clouds hovering over Punjab and Haryana brought traces of rain in the morning today indicating a fresh spell of rain in the next 24 hours which is expected to bring relief to the farmers as the unexpected high temperatures were not considered good for the wheat crop. The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh had another spell of snow, while light to moderate rains lashed parts of the state.

The weather office, however, sounded a warning as in the next 24 hours, the two agrarian states are likely to be hit by a hail storm. Thudershowers and winds blowing at a speed of 45 km an hour, are also likely to sweep across the region.

The Union Territory of Chandigarh and its adjoining areas had traces of rain and hail leading to a minor drop in the temperatures.

The city recorded a high of 32 degrees Celsius, seven degrees above normal while the minimum hovered at 16.6 degrees, six above normal.

In Punjab, there were reports of light rain from Ropar, Ludhiana and Patiala with skies remaining overcast for the day in the entire state. Amritsar recorded a minimum temperature of 9.5 degrees, one degree above normal while Ludhiana registered a minimum of 13.0 degrees, three degrees above normal. The minimum temperature at Patiala was 15.4 degrees, four degrees above normal.

Light showers accompanied by low velocity winds lashed Haryana.

Ambala registered a minimum temperature of 16.4 degrees, six above normal while Hisar recorded a minimum of 17.8 degrees, eight degrees above normal. The minimum temperature at Karnal was 13.6 degrees, three degrees above normal.

The tribal districts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur had another spell of snow for the second consecutive day. Petsio in the tribal area had 24 cm of snow while Dhundi in Kullu district reported 34 cm snow in the last 24 hours. The tourist resort of Manali reported 16 mm rain today while Solang recorded 25 mm and one cm snow.

The Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti had another spell of snow today.

Shimla had a high of 21 degrees Celsius while the minimum was 10.6 degrees, seven degrees above normal. Bhuntar had a minimum of 9.0 degrees,four degrees above normal while in Sundernagar, the minimum was 15.4 degrees.

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