Mercury rises in Punjab, Haryana

Chandigarh, May 21 (UNI) Mercury rose in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh Union Territory today despite moderate to heavy rains at many places in the plains but hovered below normal.

The maximum temperature hovered below normal by 13 degrees each at Patiala and Karnal, 11 degrees at Ambala, nine degrees at Chandigarh and eight degrees at Amritsar.

In Punjab, Patiala recorded a rise in the temperature to 27.8 degrees Celsius even as moderate rains lashed the town overnight.

Patiala, which recorded 47.8 mm rainfall till this morning, also had rains during the day.

Rains also swept Ludhiana and Amritsar, respectively measuring 22.2 mm and 5.6 mm. The holy city recorded the maximum temperature at 31.2 degrees Celsius.

Parts of Haryana were also pounded by moderate to heavy downpour.

Rohtak was the wettest place in the state, recording 56.8 mm rain since last night, followed by Bhivani registering 47.8 mm, Ambala 32.8 mm and Karnal 26.4 mm.

The maximum temperature settled at 29.0 degrees at Ambala, 26.6 degrees at Karnal, 29.1 degrees at Hissar and 27.6 degrees Celsius at Bhivani.

Rain-related incidents and heat wave have already claimed the lives of three people in Haryana and Punjab.

The temperatures also increased at a few places in Himachal Pradesh where rainfall was reported from Una, Bhuntar and Rampur.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana also recorded an increase in the temperature. The city, which reported 2.0 mm rainfall overnight, recorded 30.4 degrees celsius, nine degrees below normal.

The Weather Office here predicted moderate to heavy rain or thundershowers at many places in Haryana and Punjab and light to moderate rain or thundershowers at few places in 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 SY HT1945