Mercury dips at many places in North-west region

Chandigarh, Apr 15 (UNI) After soaring yesterday, the mercury fell in most parts of north-west region today following snowfall in higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh and rain in lower hills of the state.

The maximum hovered below normal in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh but stayed above normal in Haryana where Hissar with 40.1 degrees celsius, four degrees above normal, was the hottest place.

Elsewhere in Haryana, the mercury hovered two degrees above normal at Ambala and Karnal respectively recording 37.1 degrees and 37.0 degrees celsius.

In Punjab, the temperatures plummeted after registering an increase yesterday. The maximum stayed two degrees below normal at Amritsar and Ludhiana, respectively showing 31.0 degrees and 33.0 degrees celsius. Patiala recorded 36.5 degrees.

Higher reaches in the tribal districts of Lahaul spiti and Kinnaur and Pangi valley in Himachal Pradesh had another spell of snowfall while lower areas of the state experienced rain, dipping the temperatures. The entire tribal belt reeled under cold conditions.

The 13050-foot Rohtang Pass, access to Lahaul Spiti district, and Dhauladhar ranges, facing the Kangra valley and other high mountain passes also received snowfall.

Hamirpur and tourists resorts of Manali, Kullu, Dalhousie, Shimla, Narkanda and Fagu received rains overnight .

The mercury also plummeted in Chandigarh and its adjoining areas.

The city recorded the maximum temperature at 35.4 degrees celsius, one degree above normal.

Light to moderate rain or snow will occur at most places in Himachal Pradesh while duststorm or thunderstorm with light to moderate rain is likely to occur at few places in Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours, according to the Met office here.

It predicted hailstorm or thundersquall with wind speed exceeding 45 km per hours at isolated places in the region during the period.

UNI VKJ RL ND2006