Summer heat claims another life in Punjab as temps soar

Chandigarh, Apr 17 (UNI) Another death due to sunstroke was reported in Punjab, as temperatures continued to soar in Punjab and Haryana, with Hisar remaining the hottest place in the North West at 44.2 degrees Celsius, seven degrees above normal.

The temperature in Hisar jumped up by one degree since yesterday, while at other places in Punjab and Haryana, maximum temperatures remained three to seven degrees above normal. Besides Hisar, temperatures in Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala touched the 40 degrees celsius mark.

An official report from Ferozpur said that an unidentified beggar died due to sunstroke in Abohar town yesterday afternoon, taking the summer heat toll to three in the border state. Yesterday two deaths due to sunstroke were reported from Bathinda.

In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a maximum temperature of 40.1 degrees, six degrees above normal. Ludhiana and Patiala both recorded 40.2 degrees, four degrees above normal.

The maximum in Karnal and Ambala was 38.5 degrees, three degrees above normal and 38.9 degrees respectively.

In Chandigarh, the maximum rose by two degrees and was recorded at 38.0 degrees, three degrees above normal.

Temperatures in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh were also unusually high, remaining six to eight degrees above normal. The capital resort of Shimla was warm at 25.9 degrees, six degrees above normal. Sundernagar and Bhuntar were also warm at 35.0 degrees and 33.7 degrees respectively.

The Met office has predicted rain and thundershowers accompanied by hail in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. Dust ladened winds at the velocity of 45 km per hour are likely to sweep across the North West plains in the next 24 hours.

UNI