Heat wave continues unabated in region

Chandigarh, May 8 (UNI) The heat wave, currently sweeping north-west India, continued unbated with the mercury staying above normal at most places in the region today.

Hot and dusty winds blew across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh during the day. Frequent power-cuts and water scaracity have added to the woes.

People sweltered under intense heat wave conditions in Hisar although the mercury plummeted to 45.2 degrees Celsius following overcast skies. The town had reported 47 degrees celsius yesterday, the highest temperature during this summer so far.

Elsewhere in Haryana, severe heat wave conditions prevailed particularly in its western parts. The heat wave is expected to abate in the next two days.

However, the temperature hovered two degrees below normal at Ambala and Karnal, recording of 37.8 and 37.5 degrees Celcius respectively.

In Punjab, scorching heat wave lashed Amritsar where the maximum temperature was 43.2 degrees Celsius, five degrees above normal, followed by Ludhiana recording 40.6 degrees. The mercury fell by three points Patiala, regarding 39.5 degrees Celcius.

People in Chandigarh and its adjoining areas also reeled under heat wave conditions even as high speed winds lashed the city, bringing down the maximum temperature to 37.8 from 40.4 degrees Celcius recorded yesterday.

Heat wave conditions also prevailed in lower parts of Himachal Pradesh which are in the midst of a severe water crisis with a number of natural water sources going dry.

The capital town of Shimla recorded the maximum at 28.8 degrees Celsikus, seven degrees above normal. Sundernagar in Mandi district recorded 38.3 degrees Celsius.

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 isolated places in Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ AK PC1910