Mercury dips in region

Chandigarh, June 19 (UNI) Mercury sharply fell in most parts of Northwest of the country even as higher reaches in Himachal Pradesh experienced snowfall and the lower areas rainfall today.

The maximum temperature dipped four degrees to 11 degrees below normal in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh Union Territory.

The temperature hovered below normal by eleven degrees at Ludhiana, six degrees each at Patiala and Karnal, five degrees each at Amritsar and Hisar and four degrees each at Ambala and Chandigarh.

In Punjab, Ludhiana recorded a drastic fall in the temperature to 30.2 degrees celsius. The town recorded scanty rainfall. Temperature was 33.7 degrees at Patiala and 34.5 degrees at Amritsar.

In Haryana, the temperature plummeted to 35.8 degrees at Hisar while Karnal recorded a sharp decrease in the temperature hovering at 34.0 degrees. Ambala recorded 36.0 degrees celsius.

The temperature also declined in Himachal Pradesh where snowfall was reported from high altitude areas and rain from lower areas. The temperature fell ten degrees below normal at Bhuntar in Kullu district following rain and recorded 23.0 degrees. The capital town of Shimla also experianced rains which brought down the mercury to 22.0 degrees.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana also recorded a sharp fall in the temperature. The city, which reported trace rainfall, recorded 35.4 degrees celsius, four degrees below normal.

The Weather Office here predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places in Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ PA DB2044