Humid weather conditions persist in region

Chandigarh, Aug 19 (UNI) Hot and humid weather conditions persisted in the plains in north-west India even as rains lashed isolated places in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab during the past 24 hours.

South-west monsoon has been vigorous in Madhya Pradesh and active in east Rajasthan but subdued in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, according to the Weather Office here.

Except for a few places which received rain overnight in Punjab, people groaned under hot weather conditions in the plains as the mercury stayed above normal. There was no rainfall activity in Haryana, resulting in sultry weather at most places in the state.

Heavy rain lashed Patti area in Punjab, recording 64.2 mm while Shahpur kandi measured 12.0 mm downpour this morning. Nangal Dam and Ranjit Sagar Dam sites recorded 4.0 mm and 36.4 mm rainfall respectively.

Moderate rain lashed certain areas in Himachal Pradesh, including Guler and Sujanpur Tira in Kangra district, respectively recording 71.5 mm and 49.5 mm rain overnight. Nagrota Surian reported 26.0 mm, Gamroor 8.2 mm and Naudan 3.5 mm rainfall overnight.

Heavy rains lashed Shimla and other adjoining areas this afternoon, dipping the temperature. The fashionable Mall and the historic Ridge ''Maidan'', the hub of tourist activity, wore a deserted look following rain.

Parts of Jammu region also had rain. Jammu measured 31.8 mm rain till 0830 hours. A lull continued in rainfall activity in Chandigarh which recorded the maximum humidity at 79 per cent and the minimum at 57 per cent.

The Met Office predicted moderate to rather heavy rain or thundershowers at many places in Himachal Pradesh and few places in Punjab while light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely to occur at isolated places in Haryana during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ SP GC1816