Sunstroke claims 2 lives in Punjab

Chandigarh, Apr 16 (UNI) Two persons died after suffering sunstrokes in Punjab, as temperature continued to soar in Punjab and Haryana, with Hisar remaining the hottest place in the Northwest at 43.8 degrees Celsius, 8 degrees above normal.

An official report from Bathinda said that two persons died after suffering sun strokes in the town this afternoon. While one was identified as 65-year-old Ghaniya, the other was an unidentified beggar.

Besides Hisar, the temperature in Amritsar also touched the 40 degrees Celsius mark and was recorded at 40.8 degrees, seven degrees above normal.

However, the maximum temperature in Ludhiana and Patiala dropped one degree, but still remained above normal. The industrial town of Ludhiana was hot at 39.7 degrees while in Patiala the maximum was 39.1 degrees.

The maximum in Karnal and Ambala was 38.2 degrees and 37.2 degrees respectively.

In the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the maximum dropped by one degree and was recorded at 36.4 degrees, three degrees above.

In the hill state of Himachal Pradesh, the capital resort of Shimla was warm at 24.1 degrees, four degrees above normal.

Sundernagar and Bhuntar were also warm at 35.0 degrees and 33.5 degrees respectively.

The met office has predicted rain and thundershowers in Himachal Pradesh and dust storms and thundershowers in Punjab and Haryana in the next 24 hours.

UNI