Scorching heat prevails in plains

Chandigarh, Jun 2 (UNI) Scorching heat prevailed in the plains in north-west India as mercury rose even though many areas in the region experienced rain overnight.

However, the maximum temperatures hovered one degree to seven degrees Celsius below normal in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Hissar was the hottest place in Haryana where the mercury hovered two degrees to three degrees Celsius below normal. The mercury soared to 39.0 degrees in Hissar, followed by Karnal recording 38.4 degrees and Ambala 37.2 degrees Celsius. Hissar and Ambala recorded trace rainfall till this morning.

People groaned under hot weather conditions in Punjab where the mercury stayed four degrees below normal. Patiala was the hottest place in the state with the maximum touching 37.4 degrees Celsius although the town experienced rain last night.

However, the maximum dipped to 35.6 degrees Celsius at Amritsar following rain. The holy city recorded 16.6 mm rain till 0830 hours.

Hot weather conditions persisted in Chandigarh and its surrounding areas although the city had a brief spell of rain last night, followed by duststorm in the day today. The temperature stayed five degrees below normal in Chandigarh recording 38.0 degreesc.

The temperatures decreased in Himachal Pradesh where isolated areas, including Dharamsala, experienced rain. However, state capital Shimla showed slight increase in the temperature, recording 22.7 degreesc which was one degree below normal.

The weather office has predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at few places in Himachal Pradesh and duststorms or thunderstorms with light to moderate rain at few places in Haryana and Punjab. Hailstorm or thundersquall with speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated palces in the region.

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