Monsoon rains lashe most parts in N E region

Chandigarh, June 29 (UNI) Monsoon rains lashed most parts of the North-West since last night, keeping the temperatures low and providing much-needed relief to people from sizzling heat.

The mercury hovered two degrees to eleven degrees Celsius below normal in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh following rains.

Moderate to rather heavy rain or thundershowers are likely to occur at many places in Himachal Pradesh and northern parts of Punjab and light to moderate rain or thundershowers in the rest of Punjab and a few places in Haryana during the next 24 hours, according to the Weather Office here.

The Met office warned of heavy rain at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh during the next 24 hours.

Moderate rains lashed several areas in Punjab with Balachour recording 67.2 mm rainfall overnight, followed by Ludhiana registering 34.7 mm, Madavpur 34.4 mm, Shahpurkandi 34.0 mm and Ranjit Sagar Dam site 18.2 mm rain.

The holy city of Amritsar was also pounded by downpour, recording 30.8 mm rainfall overnight. The temperature sharply fell to 27.8 degrees, 11 degrees below normal, in the city.

Certain areas in Haryana, including Hissar and Karnal, also experienced rain. Nelokheri recorded 36.2 mm and Panchkula four mm rainfall till this morning.

In Himachal Pradesh, where monsoon had advanced into the entire state, rains lashed mid and lower hills with Dharamshala, headquarters of Kangra district, turning the wettest place recording 104.6 mm rain. Nahan, headquarters of Sirmour district, recorded 37.2 mm rainfall.

Several other areas in the state, including Bhuntar, Mandi, Pandoh, Kasol, Naudan, Nagrota Surian, Gamroor, Bhang-Manali and Solang Nullah, also experienced rain.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas also had rains last night. The city recorded 7.8 mm rain till 0830 hrs and the maximum temperature at 34.8 degrees which was three degrees below normal.

UNI