Mercury falls in region

Chandigarh, June 4 (UNI) The mercury sharply fell in most parts of the northwest India today, providing respite to people from schorching heat in the region.

The maximum temperature dipped one degree to four degrees below normal in Punjab and Haryana. However, heat wave conditions prevailing in some parts of Haryana are likely to abate during the next 24 hours, according to the Weather Office here.

Western disturbance lay over Jammu and Kashmir and neighbourhood as an upper air cyclonic circulation extending upto 3.1 km above sea level. An induced upper air circulation also lay over central Pakistan and adjoining northwest Rajasthan, extending upto 2.1 km above sea level.

The temperature hovered four degrees below normal at Amritsar following trace rainfall, recording 36.0 degrees celsius while Ludhiana registered 37.8 degrees, three degrees down. Other places in Punjab also reported a fall in the mercury. Patiala showed 39.7 degrees which was one degree below normal.

In Haryana, Hissar was the hottest place, recording the maximum at 41.0 degrees. Ambala and Karnal also recorded a decrease in the temperature, respectively showing 39.3 degrees and 40.0 degrees.

Many areas in Himachal Pradesh, including Bhuntar, Shimla, Sundernagar, Kalpa, Rampur, Suni, Barthin, Sujanpur Tira, Naudan and Bhang-Manali, experienced rain overnight, dipping the temperatures.

State capital Shimla recorded the maximum temperature at 27.6 degrees which was still four degrees above normal, while Sundernagar in Mandi district registered 35.7 degrees, Bhuntar in Kullu district 33.0 degrees, Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur district 22.4 degrees and Una 37.0 degrees celsius.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana also recorded a fall in the temperature. The city recorded 39.8 degrees celsius.

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

Thundersquall with speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in the region.

UNI