Rains bring down temperatures in North West

Chandigarh, May 20 (UNI) Rains at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana yesterday and overcast conditions today, brought some relief from the blistering heat wave in the North West region.

According to reports, maximum temperatures at most places in the plains stayed one to three degrees celsius below normal.

The temperature in Hisar plummeted to 36.4 degrees, four degrees below normal. The town and its adjoining areas recorded 42.3 mm rain in the last 24 hours.

Karnal at 40 degrees was hottest place in the North West plains while Ambala recorded 37.5 degrees, three degrees below normal.

In Punjab, the maximum in Amritsar dropped to 38.6 degrees, which was considered as normal. Ludhiana recorded 38.2 degrees, two degrees below normal while Patiala recorded 38.5 degrees, one degree below normal.

The maximum in Chandigarh dropped to 37.4 degrees, one degree below normal.

In Himachal Pradesh, Una was the hottest place, registering 38.4 degrees celsius. The maximum settled at 34.1 degrees at Sundernagar in Mandi district, 32.1 degrees at Bhuntar in Kullu disrict and 22.0 degrees at Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur district. The capital town of Shimla recorded 26.1 degrees celsius which was three degrees celsius above normal.

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

Hailstorm or thundersquall with speed exceeding 45 km pr hour is likely to occur at isolated places in the region.

UNI