New Delhi: Moderate to heavy rains lashed most parts of north India, causing rivers in Uttarakhand to flow close to the danger mark and bringing down maximum temperatures across the region.
However, Delhi remained parched with just light showers in isolated areas which only increased the humidity that oscillated between 66 and 85 per cent making it uncomfortable for residents.
The maximum temperature in the national capital was recorded at 33.5 degrees Celsius, 2 degrees less than yesterday's, while the minimum settled at 26.8 degrees, normal for this time of the year, the MeT office said.
Heavy rains lashed most parts of Uttarakhand in the last 24 hours sending Ganga river into spate even as roads to Himalayan shrines remained blocked stalling Chardham yatra.
According to a bulletin of the Central Water Commission in Dehradun, the Ganga river is flowing at its warning level of 293 metres in Haridwar whereas in Rishikesh it is flowing very close to the warning level at 339.50 metres and still rising.
Meanwhile, State Emergency Operation Centre said that in the past 24 hours moderate to heavy rains lashed a number of places with Ukhimath receiving the maximum 82.5 mm of rains followed by Didihat which received 73 mm of showers, Kotdwar (72mm) and Nainital (60mm).
Meanwhile, Chardham yatra remained affected with roads to the famous Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri was blocked at a number of places.
Incessant rains have affected normal life in several districts of Rajasthan with Hadauti region covering Kota, Jhalawar, Baran districts receiving heaviest downpour - 15 cms since last night.
Barring western regions of the state, including Barmer and Jaisalmer, moderate to heavy rains occurred at most places, MeT department in Jaipur said.
Jhalawar recorded maximum 15 cm rainfall, followed by Bonli and Lalsot 13 cm-each, Baran, Mangarole 11 cm-each, Jamua Ramgarh, Anta, Jhalarapatan 10 cms-each.
Moderate rainfall lashed some parts of Punjab and Haryana bringing down the maximum temperature in the region and easing up the power situation in many areas.
At some places in the twin agrarian states, light to moderate rainfall started last night and continued till today, local weather department said.
While common capital Chandigarh was drenched by 16 mm of rainfall, Karnal received 14.6 mm of rains. Among other places, Bhiwani had 14.2 mm of rainfall followed by 14 mm at Narnaul, 8.6 mm at Ludhiana and 0.8 mm at Patiala.
The rainfall, considered to be beneficial for paddy growers, resulted in accumulation of water at some low lying areas of the region, officials said.
Meanwhile, the maximums hovered between 30 degree Celsius and 35 deg C in most parts of the neighbouring states.
Amritsar was the hottest place in the plains of Punjab and Haryana with a high of 34.3 degrees Celsius.
