Sharp decrease in mercury registered in region

Chandigarh, Jun 5 (UNI) Mercury fell sharply in most parts of northwest India today following rains, providing respite to people from scorching heat in the region.

The maximum temperature dipped four degrees to 11 degrees below normal in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh Union Territory.

The temperature hovered below normal by 11 degrees at Dharamsala, seven degrees each at Patiala, Ambala and Karnal, six degrees each at Chandigarh and Mandi and four degrees at Shimla.

In Punjab, Patiala recorded a drastic fall in the temperature to 33.8 degrees Celsius, following a moderate rain. The town recorded 15.4 rainfall overnight. However, the mercury showed a slight increase at Amritsar recording the maximum at 39.6 degrees Celsius.

Rain lashed isolated areas in Haryana, bringing a fall in the temperatures. The maximum temperature plummeted to 41.0 degrees at Hissar while Ambala and Karnal recorded a sharp decrease in the temperatures in the wake of moderate to heavy rain, registering 33.0 degrees and 33.4 degrees celsius respectively. Ambala measured 30.7 mm and Karnal 10.4 mm rainfall till this morning.

Moderate rain also pounded many areas of Himachal Pradesh, plunging the temperatures. Dhaeramsala, headquarters of Kangra district, registered a steep fall in the mercury, recording the maximum at 20.8 degrees Celsius, 11 degrees below normal.

The maximum settled at 32.8 degrees at Bhuntar, 30.4 degrees at Mandi, 29.9 degrees at Sundernagar and 33.0 degrees at Una. Shimla, which recorded a drastic fall in the maximum temperature to 19.9 degrees, was lashed by heavy rain overnight. The town recorded 38.0 mm rainfall.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana also recorded a sharp fall in the temperature. The city, which reported 16.2 mm rainfall till this morning, recorded 33.2 degrees celsius, six degrees below normal.

The Met Office said upper air cyclonic circulation lay over Central Pakistan, extending upto 2.1 km above seal level. Another upper air cyclonic circulation lay over north Pakistan and adjoining south-west Jammu and Kashmir, extending upto 3.1 km above sea level.

The Met office predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at a few places in Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh during the next 24 hours. Thundersquall with speed exceeding 45 kmph is likely to occur at isolated places in the region.

UNI VKJ DB AM ND2010