North-west region in the grip of heat wave

Chandigarh, May 2 (UNI) The north-west India continued to be in the grip of intensified heat wave with the mercury hovering at 44.4 degrees celsius at Hissar today.

Hot surface winds swept across most parts of the region where power cuts and shortage of water have added to the problems of the people.

The maximum temperatures hovered four degrees to seven degrees celsius above normal in the region. The heat wave had already claimed the life of a person in Punjab.

Intense heat wave lashed Hissar with the maximum temperature staying 44.4 degrees celsius, five degrees above normal, turning the town as the hottest place in Haryana. The maximum, however, declined at Karnal and Ambala, respectively recording 40.4 degrees and 39.9 degrees celsius.

Heat wave also lashed Punjab, where Amritsar was the hottest place recording the maximum at 43.8 degrees, seven degrees above normal.

Ludhiana and Patiala showed 41.5 degrees celsius each which was , three degrees and two degrees above normal respectively.

Chandigarh and its surrounding areas were also under the impact of heat wave although the mercury dipped by few notches. The city, which was swept by hot and dusty winds during the day, recorded 41.0 degrees, four degrees above normal.

Heat wave conditions also prevailed in Himachal Pradesh. In lower hills of the state, the mercury remained static at 41.0 degrees at Una but rose to 34.0 degrees, five degrees above normal, at Bhuntar in Kullu district.

However, the maximum dipped at Sundernagar, Mandi, Dharamsala and Shimla respectively recording 36.9 degrees, 37.1 degrees, 32.8 degrees and 26.5 degrees celsius.

Heat wave conditions prevailing in isolated parts of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are likely to continue for the next two days, according to the Weather Office here.

The weather office has predicted duststorms at isolated places in Haryana and Punjab and mainly sunny day in Himahcal Pradesh during the next 24 hours.

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