New Delhi: Temperatures in most parts of
North India settled below normal levels on Wednesday following heavy
overnight rains, even as thunderstorms triggered landslides,
closing down highways in the hills.
The mercury dipped sharply in the national capital,
which recorded a maximum of 33.8 deg C, five notches below
normal and eight degrees down from yesterday`s high of 41.8
deg C, the India Meteorological Department said.
At four notches below normal, the minimum too settled
at a comfortable 23.7 deg C, which was also nearly seven
degrees down from yesterday`s reading of 30 deg C.
The MeT office has forecast "isolated thunder squalls"
over Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand
during the next two days.
Rains hit several places in the plains of Punjab and
Haryana today, bringing down mercury by a few notches.
Chandigarh and Ambala recorded respective maximums of
31.2 deg C and 30.8 deg C, both down by seven degrees.
The high at Karnal was 30.8 deg C, down seven notches
while Hisar`s maximum settled at 38.7 deg C, two degrees below
normal, the MeT Dept said.
Ludhiana recorded a high of 33.9 deg C, down six
degrees while the high at Patiala settled at 32 deg C, also
six below normal. Amritsar registered a maximum of 39.2 deg C.
Meanwhile, the Leh-Manali highway remained closed
today after squalls hit several parts of Himachal Pradesh,
triggering landslides. The highway was blocked after a large
stretch of road which was being repaired near Rani Nallah,
submerged, officials said.
State capital Shimla`s minimum settled at 14 deg C,
three notches below normal.
In Rajasthan, light to moderate rains caused a dip in
mercury. Sriganganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Barmer recorded
maximums of 42.3, 40.4, 40.3 and 40 deg C respectively, all
readings a few nothces below normal levels, the MeT office
said.
PTI
