Mercury dips in north-west region

Mercury plummeted in the northwest India today following scattered rain in Himachal Pradesh, providing respite to people from schorching heat. The maximum temperature dipped below normal by two degrees to three degrees in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh Union Territory and one degree to seven degrees celsius in Himachal Pradesh.

In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a drastic fall in the temperature to 36.4 degrees celsius from 40.2 degrees celsius recorded yesterday.

The holy city recorded trace rainfall. The mercury also dipped at Patiala and Ludhiana, respectively recording 36.7 degrees and 36.5 degrees celsius.

In Haryana, the temperature plummeted at Hissar, Ambala, Karnal and Bhivani, giving relief to people from siziling heat in the state.

The respective places recorded the maximum at 38.4 degrees, 36.6 degrees, 36.6 degrees and 37.6 degrees celsius.

The temperatures also declined in Himachal Pradesh where light rain was reported from certain areas. Una in lower hills recorded the maximum at 36.2 degrees while Bhuntar in Kullu district registered 23.0 degrees celsius, seven degrees below normal, and Sundernagar in Mandi district showed 30.3 degrees following rain.

The maximum dropped to 30.6 degrees at Dharamsala, 21.0 degrees at Shimla and 17.4 degrees at Kalpa.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana also recorded a fall in the temperature. The city recorded 36.0 degrees celsius, two degrees below normal.

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

Hailstorm or thundersquall with speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in the region during the period.

-- (UNI) -- 09DR53.xml

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