Scorching heat prevails in northwest region

Chandigarh, May 31 (UNI) Scorching heat prevailed in northwest India as the mercury kept its upward movement, staying above normal at most places in the region today.

People in Hisar groaned under intense heat with the maximum temperature remaining static at 41.7 degrees Celsius, turning it the hottest place in Haryana. The mercury rose to 40.6 degrees Celsius at Ambala and Karnal, hovering one degree above normal.

In Punjab, Amritsar reeled under 41.0 degrees, one degree above normal, while Patiala recorded 40.5 degrees.

In Himachal Pradesh, temperatures increased at Una and Sundernagar, decreased at Bhuntar and Shimla and remained static at Dharamsala. The maximum settled at 40.8 degrees at Una, 36.4 degrees at Sundernagar, 34.0 degrees at Bhuntar and 25.5 degrees Celsius at Shimla.

Hot weather conditions persisted in Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana as the mercury further rose in the city recording 40.5 degrees, two degrees above normal.

The weather office has predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh and duststorms or thunderstorms with light to moderate rain at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours. Hailstorms or thundersqualls with speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in the region during the period.

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