Monsoon plays truant in region

Chandigarh, Sep 5 (UNI) Monsoon played truant in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh with no rainfall reported in the region today.

Except Rampur in Himachal Pradesh, which recorded 0.5 mm downpour overnight, the region had no rains, according to the Weather Office here.

The Sun peeped through the skies occasionally as clouds hovered at many places in the region during the day. The maximum temperature rose at certain places in Punjab and Haryana in the absence of rains.

In Punjab, the temperature rose to 34.2 degrees celsius in Ludhiana and to 34 degrees celsius in Patiala. The mercury soared at Amritsar to 32.3 degrees which was, however, three degrees below normal. The temperature also increased in parts of Haryana.

However, tribal areas in Himachal Pradesh reeled under low temperatures following snowfall in higher reaches recently. The temperature also fell in the capital town of Shimla to 23.2 degrees celsius from 25.5 degrees recorded yesterday.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas also had no rains and the mercury rose to 34.6 degrees, two degrees above normal, in the city.

The Met Office said that moderate to rather heavy rain or thundershowers are likley to occur at few places in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ SHB HS1802