Rains bring down temperature in Punjab, Haryana

Chandigarh, Feb 8 (PTI) Overnight rains in most partsof Punjab and Haryana today led to a dip in temperature in thenorthern plains.

Though there was a dip in temperature, the minimum wasstill above normal in most parts of Punjab and Haryana, theMET office said here today.

The rains at this time of the season are consideredbeneficial for the rabi crops.

While Amritsar received 12.5 mm of rains, the rainfallat Karnal was 12.4 mm. Rohtak received 8.2 mm of rainsfollowed by 7.5 mm at Ludhiana, three mm at Bhiwani, 2.6 mm atChandigarh and two mm at Patiala.

Amritsar was coldest in the plains of Punjab andHaryana with a low of six degrees Celsius, one notch abovenormal.

Among other places, Karnal settled at a low of 8degrees Celsius, Hisar 8.1 degrees Celsius, Ludhiana 8.6degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Patiala was 7.4degrees Celsius, two notches above normal.

While Chandigarh had a low of 9.2 degrees Celsius, twonotches above normal, the minimum temperature at Rohtak was10.1 degrees Celsius, one notch above normal.Bhiwani had a low of 10.2 degrees Celsius whereasNarnaul settled at 11 degrees Celsius, five notches abovenormal.

A beggar had died due to cold at Phagwara on Sundaynight, taking the death toll in the region to 12 this season.The Met has forecast a rise in day as well as nighttemperatures with possibility of light showers at some placesin the region during the next two days.