Mercury further rises in region

Chandigarh, May 30 (UNI) Hot weather conditions prevailed in the north-west India as the mercury continued its upward movement in the region today.

People groaned under hot weather conditions in Punjab, where Amritsar was the hottest place recording 41.2 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal, while Patiala registered a temperature of 39.2 degrees, two degrees below normal.

The mercury soared to 41.7 degrees at Hissar, turning it the hottest place in Haryana. Karnal recorded a temperature of 39.2 degrees and Ambala 39.0 degrees, which were one degree below normal.

Karnal and few areas were lashed by rain overnight.

The temperatures also rose in Himachal Pradesh with Bhuntar in Kullu district recording 34.6 degrees, three degrees above normal while Sunderdnagar in Mandi district registered 35.0 degrees and Dharamsala, the headquarter of Kangra district, showed 32.4 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal.

The maximum temperature also rose at the state capital Shimla recording a temperature of 25.9 degrees, two degrees above normal.

Hot weather conditions also prevailed in Chandigarh and its surrounding areas as the mercury rose to 39.4 degrees in the city.

The Weather Office predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places in HP and duststorms or thunderstorms with light to moderate rain at isolated places in Haryana and Punjab during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ PY BST2003