Rains kill 26 in UP; first monsoon showers lashes northwest

New Delhi, July 9 (UNI) As many as 26 people died in various rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh following heavy downpour in the last 24 hours as the Northwest experienced its first heavy monsoon showers, bringing relief from sultry heat and plummeting temperatures across the region today.

Nine people each were killed in Hardoi and Lakhimpur district in various incidents of wall collapse, electrocution and lightning in Uttar Pradesh.

A report from Gorakhpur said Urmila (40) and Rambha (17) died when a 'kuccha' dwelling collapsed in Shivpur area. Another man lost his life in Dharmashala bazaar, when he got trapped under the debris of his house.

Another person was killed and three others were injured in a similar incident in Thakurganj area in the state capital.

The national capital experienced its first monsoon showers providing some relief for Delhiites from the scorching heat of the past few days. The Weather Office said heavy rains were a result of the South west monsoon advancing into Delhi and parts of West Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Haryana.

Rainfall, accompanied by heavy squall, brought down the minimum temperature by three degrees, to below 28 degrees, from 29.8 degrees Celsius yesterday. The maximum temperature also dropped to 39.2 degrees from 40.4 degrees yesterday.

Heavy monsoon showers also lashed the northwest plains, bringing down the temperatures two to four degrees below normal in both Punjab and Haryana.

The maximum rainfall in the region was recorded at Ambala at 51.7 mm, followed by Karnal (47 mm).

The mercury dropped four degrees below normal amidst heavy rains giving respite to the people from the humid conditions prevailing for the last four days.

The weather office has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall at most of the places in Himachal Pradesh and at many places in Punjab and Haryana in the next 24 hours.

A general alert has been sounded in Kinnaur and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh following sudden rise in water level in Sutlej, Spiti and Baspa rivers and their tributaries due to heavy rains, while torrential rains badly disrupted life in several parts of the state during the last 24 hrs.

Heat wave conditions continued to prevail in several parts of the Kashmir valley with no respite in sight from sultry weather as temperature hovered at 35.5 degrees Celsius on the third day today.

The Met office here said the maximum temperature recorded today was 35.5 degrees Celsius, above five degrees normal.

Light showers also lashed Kolkata providing respite from hot and humid conditions to the citizens. The Met office has warned of thundershowers at many places in West Bengal, which is due to the low pressure over gangetic belt of the state.

According to the forecast rain or thundershowers are also likely to occur at a few places in Orissa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Central Maharashtra, Marathwada, south interior Karnataka, Lakshadweep and at isolated places in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, interior Karnataka and Andaman and Nicobar islands.

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