Heat wave sweeps north-west region

Chandigarh, Apr 25 (UNI) The north-west India was in the grip of heat wave as the mercury stayed above normal in the region today.

The maximum temperature hovered two degrees to five degrees celsius above normal at many places in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, making the people groan under scorching heat.

Heat wave conditions prevailing in many parts of Himachal Pradesh and isolated parts of Punjab and Haryana, including Chandigarh, are likely to abate during the next one day, according to the Weather Office here.

The mercury soared to 43.4 degrees celsius at Hissar, turning it to be the hottest place in Haryana, followed by Karnal recording 40.0 degrees and Ambala 39.6 degrees celsius, three degrees above normal.

People groaned under hot weather conditions in Punjab where the mercury stayed four degrees to five degrees celsius above normal.

Ludhiana was the hottest place in the state with the maximum touching 40.9 degrees celsius, four degrees above normal. Patiala registered 40.6 degrees and the holy city of Amritsar 40.0 degrees, five degrees above normal.

Heat wave conditions persisted in Chandigarh and its surrounding areas as the mercury showed slight increase. The city recorded the maximum temperature at 40.4 degrees, five degrees above normal.

There was let up in heat wave conditions in Himachal Pradesh as the maximum temperatures registered a slight increase in lower areas of the state. Una in lower hills recorded the maximum at 39.4 degrees and Sundernagar 35.6 degrees celsius.

However, Mandi, Bhuntar, Dharamsala and Shimla recorded a fall in the temperature by few notches, registering 34.4 degrees, 32.0 degrees, 30.8 degrees and 25.2 degrees celsius.

The weather office has predicted rain or thundershowers at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh and mainly dry weather in Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours. There is possibility of fall in day temperatures by one degree to two degrees celsius in the region.

UNI VKJ JMK1840