Mercury rises in region

Chandigarh, May 31 (UNI) The mercury again soared in the north-west India, staying above normal at many places in Haryana today.

People groaned under intensified heat at Hissar with the mercury touching 42.5 degrees celsius, two degrees above normal, turning it the hottest place in Haryana. Ambala registered 39.8 degrees and Karnal 40.8 degrees celsius, one degree above normal.

The mercury also showed upward movement in Punjab but stayed below normal, registering 40.4 degrees each at Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala. The temperature, however, hovered one degree below normal at Ludhiana and Patiala.

The mercury also rose at Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana. The city recorded 40.0 degrees against 38.8 degrees registered yesterday.

The temperatures also showed a rising trend in parts of Himachal Pradesh. Una with 39.4 degrees celsius was the hottest place in the hilly state. The maximum settled at 34.6 degrees celsius at Sundernagar in Mandi district, 32.9 degrees at Bhuntar in Kullu disrict and 22.0 degrees at Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur district.

The capital town of Shimla recorded 25.6 degrees celsius which was two degrees above normal.

The Met office has predicted partly cloudy days in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab during the next 24 hours.

UNI