Rain brings relief to Amritsar, sharp fall in mercury

Chandigarh, June 25 (UNI) The residents of Amritsar heaved a sigh of relief as rains lashed the holy city and its sorrunding areas leading to a sharp decline in day temperatures.

The mercury which had touched 42.6 degrees celsius yesterday, fell by almost 12 degrees in Amritsar, which recorded 19 mm of rain, the maximum in the region today.The maximum registered in the holy city was 30.8 degrees, eight degrees below normal.

Elsewhere in the north west region there were reports of scattered low to moderate rainfall, leading to a fall in temperatures.

In Ludhiana the maximum was recorded at 36.8 degrees, three degrees below normal while in Patiala it was 36.0 degrees, two degrees below normal.

Sharp showers, accompanied by high speed winds had lashed Patiala and adjoining areas yesterday, uprooting trees, blowing off hoardings and disrupting power supply in the town. Two children were reported to have been washed away in a flooded 'nullah' following the downpour in the town.

In Haryana, Karnal received eight mm of rain that brought relief to the residents. The town registered a maximum temperature of 35.3 degrees, three degrees below normal.

Hisar and Ambala recorded 3 mm rain this morning, that led to marginal fall in temperatures. The maximum in Hisar was 39.9 degrees, one degree below normal, while at Ambala it was 37.3 degrees, two degrees below.

In Himachal Pradesh, Shimla recorded 2 mm rain while Sundernagar in Mandi had 19 mm rain. The maximum temperature in the capital hill resort was 25.1 degrees, one degree above normal while at Sundernagar it was 29.6 degrees.

Though Chandigarh and its adjoining areas went without rain today, but maximum temperature fell by two degrees and was recorded at 36.0 degrees, two degrees below normal.

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

Hailstorm or thundersquall with speed exceeding 65 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in the region during the period.

UNI HS VN AD BD1923