North-west reels under intensified heat

Chandigarh, May 23 (UNI) The north-west India reeled under intensified hot weather conditions as the temperatures soared in many areas in the plains today.

The mercury showed upward movement in the plains of Punjab and Haryana, registering a temperature above 40 degrees Celsius at most places..

In Punjab, Patiala was the hottest place with the maximum temperature rising to 41.2 degrees Celsius while Amritsar recorded 40.2 degrees and Ludhiana 40.7 degrees.

The temperature also rose in Haryana with Hisar recording a temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius and Karnal and Ambala showing 41.2 degrees and 40.2 degrees Celsius respectively.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana were also facing intensified heat with the mercury touching 40.2 degrees, one degree above normal, in the city.

In Himachal Pradesh, Una was the hottest place, registering a temperature of 40.4 degrees Celsius. The maximum settled at 35.0 degrees at Sundernagar in Mandi district, 32.7 degrees at Bhuntar in Kullu disrict and 19.8 degrees at Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur district.

The capital town of Shimla recorded 25.8 degrees Celsius which was three degrees above normal.

The Met office has predicted light to moderate rains or thundershowers at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and duststorm or thunderstorm with light rains in Haryana during the next 24 hours. Hailstorm or thundersquall with speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in the region.

UNI