Storm kills 5,injures 30 in Kashmir; pleasant weather in many states

New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) Five people were killed and over 30 wounded when strong winds swept the Kashmir valley, while squalls across the rest of north and central India brought down the mercury, providing much needed respite.

However, severe heat wave conditions continued in Coastal Andhra Pradesh for the tenth day with the maximum temperature of 42 degress Celsius in the region.

The severe windstorm in Kashmir affected electricity and water supply besides uprooting trees, damaging fruit crops and about 100 houses and other structures.

In the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, the severe heat wave conditions continued for the tenth day with the maximum temperature of 42 degress Celsius being recorded in the region.

The maximum temperature of 44.7 degrees Celsius was recorded at Vijayawada and the minimum temperature stood at 30 degrees.

Heat wave conditions prevailed in parts of South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Khammam district of Telangana.

Weather was mainly dry over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema and dry over Telangana, according to weather office here.

Strong winds, accompanied by shower in the evening cooled down the national capital today, bringing much needed relief to Delhiites.

The squall which came at 1825hrs from the North Westerly direction, blowing at a speed of 70 km per hour, brought the mercury down by three degrees.

Weatherman attribute the rain and thundersqualls to the influence of a fresh upper air circulation.

Similarly, a sudden burst of heavy rainfall hit parts of Uttar Pradesh this morning, bringing people relief from the roasting heat during the past couple of days.

Owing to rains and squall, Lucknowites woke up to a pleasant weather with skies being overcast.

People in the city of Nawabs got the much awaited respite from the scorching heat as rainfall accompanied by the Easterly winds plummeted the maximum temperature from 48.6 degrees C to 39.2 degrees C.

A late afternoon drizzle in Patna brought some relief to the people who were writhing under sweltering heat for the past few days.

The rain, that continued for a few minutes, brought down the temperature by more than one degree celsius.

Local met office sources said the maximum temparature during the day was recorded at 35.7 degrees, while the minimum was 25 compared to 36.7 and 26.7 degrees Celsius respectively yesterday.

Unlike AP which is reeling under the heat waves, early setting of sea breeze in the Chennai city brought the temperature down to 38 degrees.

According to MET officials here, Nungambakkam recorded a maximum temperature of 37.8 degree C while suburban Meenambakkam registered 40.2 degree C Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in Madhya Pradesh brought respite from intense heat and reduced temperature by one-two degree Celisus at several places.

In the state capital, clouds enveloped the sky since morning and rainfall lashed in the evening.

A drop in maximum temperature by one-two notches was recorded in Gwalior 41.9 C, Jabalpur 40.4 C, Indore 38.8 C, Satna 38.5 C and Rewa 39 C.

Indore, Sagar, Jabalpur, Hoshangabad, Ujjain and Gwalior divisions received rainfall overnight.

UNI