Heat wave abates from region

Chandigarh, May 3 (UNI) The mercury again rose in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh but declined in Punjab as heat wave conditions abated from the region today.

While the mercury showed upward movement at Hissar, Karnal, Ambala, and Chandigarh, the temperatures dropped at Amritsar and Ludhiana in Punjab.

People in Hissar groaned under intense heat with the maximum touching 40.6 degrees celsius, turning it the hottest place in Haryana. However, the mercury hovered zero degree above normal at Karnal showing 37.7 degrees celsius. Ambala recorded 37.4 degrees which was one degree below normal.

In Punjab, the temperature plummeted to 38.2 degrees celsius from 42.6 degrees at Amritsar, providing respite to people from schorching heat wave. The temperarture also fell at Ludhiana and remained static at Patiala following rain. Ludhiana recorded 36.8 degrees and Patiala 36.7 degrees which were respectively one degree and two degrees below normal.

The temperatures rose in certain areas of Himachal Pradesh with Bhuntar in Kullu district recording 32.1 degrees, two degrees above normal, while Sundernagar in Mandi district registered 33.0 degrees.

Kalpa recorded 20.3 degrees. The temperature also increased at state capital of Shimla recording 24.2 degrees, two degrees above normal.

The capital town reported trace rainfall during the day.

The mercury also rose in Chandigarh to 36.4 degrees from 34.6 degrees recorded yesterday. The city was lashed by rain this evening.

The Met office predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places in Himachal Pradesh and few places in Haryana and Punjab during the next 24 hours.

Thundersquall with speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in the region during the period.

UNI