Mercury hovers below normal in region

Chandigarh, June 19 (UNI) People in north-west India had a respite from scorching heat even as the mercury slightly rose but stayed five degrees to nine degrees below normal in the wake of rain at most places in the region during the past 24 hours.

The maximum temperature rose at many places in Punjab with Amritsar recording 34.9 degrees, five degrees below normal, while Ludhiana showed 33.8 degrees, seven degrees below normal. The temperature settled at 34.1 degrees, six degrees below normal, at Patiala which was lashed by rain.

The temperature also soared in Haryana despite rainfall. Hissar, which usually turns out to be the hottest place in the state, registered the maximum at 32.5 degrees celsius, eight degrees below normal. The town, lashed by rain, measured 11 mm rainfall during the day.

Ambala and Karnal, too, experienced rain and recorded the maximum temperatures at 34.2 degrees and 31.5 degrees Celsius respectively.

The temperatures were five degrees and nine degrees below normal at respective places.

In Himachal Pradesh, the mercury slightly dipped in mid and lower hills of the state in the wake of rainfall. The mercury fell to 34.0 degrees at Una from 35.2 degrees recorded yesterday. Bhuntar in Kullu district recorded 32.7 degrees, Sundernagar in Mandi district 29.9 degrees and Kalpa in Kinnaur district 23. 3 degrees Celsius.

However, the capital town of Shimla showed rise in the temperature to 23.8 degrees from 23.6 degrees recorded yesterday.

The mercury also hovered below normal in Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana. The city recorded 33.2 degrees, six degrees below normal.

The Weather Office here predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places in Himachal Pradesh and few places in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh during the next 24 hours.

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

UNI