The mercury kept upward movement at most places in the region which reeled under scorching heat wave conditions. Power cuts and shortage of water have added to the woes of the people.

A 40-year old person succumbed to blistering heat wave at industrial area in Hissar which turned out to be the hottest place in Haryana. The heat wave forced people to stay indoors at the city as the blazing sun raged in its fury. Vehicular traffic on the roads was minimal.

Hissar reeling under the imapct of intense heat wave for the past fortnight with the mercury hovering between 45 to 46 degrees celsius.

With today's casualty, the toll in the current heat wave and the recent squall in the region rose to 18 so far.

Elsewhere in Haryana, heat wave conditions prevailed at Ambala and Karnal respectively, which recorded 38.1 degrees and 38 degrees.

In Punjab, sizzling heat wave peristed at Bhatinda which recorded 46.4 degrees, followed by Amritsar showing 44.6 degreees, seven degrees above normal, and Ludhiana registering 40.8 degrees. Patiala recorded 40.7 degrees, two degrees below normal.

The temperature further rose in Himachal Pradesh with capital town of Shimla showing 27.4 degrees, four degrees above normal while Sundernagar in Mandi district reported 35.4 degrees and Bhuntar in Kullu district 35.6, five degrees above normal.

Hot weather conditions persisted in Chandigarh and its adjoining areas with the city recording 37.6 degrees.

The weather office has predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at few places in Himachal Pradesh and duststorm or thunderstorm with light to moderate rain at isolated places in Haryana and Punjab during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ VD VC1906