Mercury sharply dips in Punjab, Haryana

Chandigarh, May 19 (UNI) The mercury sharply fell in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh Union Terrotiry today following scattered rain in the region, providing respite to people from schorching heat.

The maximum temperature dipped eight degrees to 15 degrees celsius below normal at most places, which remained drapped in thick clouds, in the plains.

The temperature hovered below normal by 15 degrees each at Patiala and Karnal, 14 degrees at Ambala and eight degrees at Chandigarh.

In Punjab, Patiala recorded a drastic fall in the temperature to 24.6 degrees celsius following a moderate rain overnight. The town recorded 28 mm rainfall during the day. The mercury settled at 38.4 degrees, one degree below normal, at Amritsar.

In Haryana, the temperature plummeted to 36.4 degrees at Hissar while Karnal and Ambala recorded a sharp decrease in the temperatures hovering at 24.8 degrees and 25.9 degrees celsius at respective places.

The temperatures also kept low in Himachal Pradesh where rainfall was reported from lower areas, including Bhuntar, Sunderdnagar, Kasol, Sujanpur Tira amd Naudan.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana also recorded a sharp fall in the temperature. The city, which reported 3 mm rainfall, recorded 30.2 degrees celsius, eight degrees below normal.

The Weather Office here predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places in Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh during the next 24 hours.

Hailstorm or thundersquall with speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in the region during the period.

UNI VKJ BK1854