Hot weather conditions prevail in region

Chandigarh, May 9 (UNI) Hot weather conditions prevailed in most parts of north-west India today even as showers lashed many areas in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh during the past 24 hours.

The temperatures showed upward movement in Punjab, except Amritsar, but slightly declined in Haryana. As many as six people have already died due to heat wave and lightning in Punjab during this Summer.

The holy city of Amritsar, which reeled under intense heat during the past week, recorded a further fall in the temperature to 36.2 degrees celsius, two degrees below normal, following rain overnight and during the day.

However, the maximum temperature rose at Ludhiana and Patiala despite the twin towns recording rainfall. Ludhiana recorded 40.0 degrees and Patiala 39.4 degrees celsius.

Hissar, which usually remains the hottest place in Haryana, recorded a fall in the mercury to 40.9 degrees, one degree above normal. The temperature, however, increased to 38.2 degrees at Ambala which measured 3.0 mm rain till this morning. The mercury by and large remained static at Karnal recording 36.9 degrees, two degrees below normal.

Hot weather conditions also prevailed in Chandigarh and its adjoining areas even though the city experienced brief spells of rain and duststorm early morning. The city recorded 38.4 degrees celsius which was one degreee above normal.

Light to moderate widespread rain lashed many areas in Himachal Pradesh overnight, providing respite to people from schorching heat.

However, the temperatures rose at Sundernagar in Mandi district, registering 35.0 degrees while Bhuntar in Kullu district showed 32.2 degrees, two degrees above normal. The mercury hovered three degrees above normal at Shimla recording 24.9 degrees.

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

Hailstorm or thundersquall with speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh during the period.

UNI