Temperature dips across the region

Chandigarh, May 2 (UNI) People in north-west India had a respite from scorching heat following light rain, accompanied by dusty winds, today.

The maximum temperature, which hovered two degrees to four degrees celsius above normal at many places in the region yesterday, dipped by one degree to six degrees today.

The heat in parts of Punjab and Haryana are likely to abate tomorrow, according to the Met Office here.

In Punjab, Ludhiana recorded a sharp fall in the mercury to 33.0 degrees celsius, six degrees below normal, from 40.2 degrees celsius registered yesterday. The town experienced one mm rainfall till morning.

Temperatures also fell in Amritsar and Patiala to showing 35.2 degrees and 39.3 degree respectively. Both these towns recorded trace rainfall.

People heaved a sigh relief from soaring temperatures in Haryana following mild rainfall at some places. Karnal, where the maximum touched 42.0 degrees yesterday, recorded 39.0 degrees today, a fall of three degrees, after dusty winds swept the town. Ambala registered the maximum at 39.0 degrees. The town had 0.2 mm rain.

The temperature also dropped at Chandigarh and its surrounding areas, which had been reeling under hot weather conditions during the past few days, following dusty winds and trace rainfall. The city recorded 36.0 degrees celsius, one degree below normal, against 40.6 degrees reported yesterday.

The mercury also fell in Himachal Pradesh. The capital town of Shimla recorded 0.4 mm rain till this morning. Sundernagar in Mandi district also had rain, recording 0.6 mm.

The weather office has predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at few places in Himachal Pradesh and duststorm or thunderstorm with light rain at few places in Punjab and isolated places in Haryana during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ PM HS1923