Mercitess heat wave lashes many areas in north-west region

Chandigarh, Apr 24 (UNI) Scorching heat wave lashed many areas in north-west India as the mercury stayed above normal in the region today.

While the maximum temperatures showed increase at Amritsar and Hissar, they remained static or declined at most places but hovered two degrees to five degrees Celsius above normal.

Heat wave conditions, prevailing in many areas of Himachal Pradesh and some pockets of Haryana, including Chandigarh, are likely to continue for the next two days and may extend to some more parts of Haryana and Punjab, according to the Weather Office here.

Hissar with 42.4 degrees celsius, four degrees above normal, continued to be the hottest place in Haryana. There was no change in the weather conditions at Karnal recording 40.3 degrees. However, the mercury declined to 39.5 degrees at Ambala.

The mercury rose to 40.2 degrees Celsius, five degrees above normal at Amritsar, turning the holy city as the hottest place in Punjab. Ludhiana showed 40.0 degrees and Patiala 40.5 degrees celsius, four degrees above normal.

People in Chandigarh and its adjoining areas also groaned under heat wave conditions with the mercury settling at 40.2 degrees Celsius. Hot winds swept across the city during the day.

Heat wave conditions prevailed in many parts of Himachal Pradesh although the maximum temperatures registered a slight decline but hovered five degrees above normal.

Una in lower hills recorded the maximum at 39.0 degrees, Mandi 36.2 degrees, Sundernagar 35.3 degrees, Bhuntar 32.6 degrees, Dharamsala 31.6 degrees and Shimla 25.5 degrees celsius.

The weather office has predicted mainly sunny days in the region during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ SY AS1917