Sizzling heat wave prevails in Haryana, Punjab

Chandigarh, May 12 (UNI) A heat wave prevailed in Haryana and Punjab following further rise in the mercury with Hissar recording 45.9 degrees celsius and Amritsar 43.5 degrees celsius today.

People expressed intense heat wave conditions as the temperature hovered five degrees above normal at Hissar and Amritsar, turning them hottest places in Haryana and Punjab respectively.

The mercury kept upward movement at most places in the northwest region which reeled under schorching heat wave conditions. However, the mercury stayed one degree to two degrees below normal at some places.

In Haryana, the temperature rose at Ambala which recorded 38.2 degrees celsius, two degrees below normal. In Punjab, Ludhiana recorded 40.6 degrees and Patiala 39.9 degrees, one degree below normal.

The temperature also rose in Himachal Pradesh with capital town of Shimla recording 25.6 degrees, three degrees above normal, while Sundernagar reported 34.5 degrees and Kalpa 23.2 degrees.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas were also under the impact of heat wave conditions with the city showing 37.0 degrees, one degree below normal. Heat wave also persisted at Delhi with the national capital recording 41.3 degrees, one degree above normal.

The current heat wave and the recent squall in the region had claimed the lives of 16 people so far.

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

It also predicted hailstorm/thundersquall with windspeed exceeding 45 km per hour at isolated places in the region.

UNI VKJ VD KN1938