CHANDIGARH: Scorching heat prevailed in north-west India as the mercury further rose in the region on Monday, touching 43.8 degrees Celsius at Hisar.

The maximum temperature hovered two degrees to four degrees Celsius above normal at many places in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, making the people reel under intense heat.

Hisar with 43.8 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal, continues to be the hottest place in Haryana, followed by Karnal recording 42 degrees. Ambala registered 40.6 degrees, two degrees above normal.

In Punjab, Patiala was the hottest place recording 41.9 degrees and Ludhiana 40.7 degrees. Both the towns showed two degrees above normal temperature. The temperature further soared at Amritsar showing 40.6 degrees, four degrees above normal.

Chandigarh and its surrounding areas reeled under intense hot weather conditions with the city recording 40.6 degrees, four degrees above normal.

Certain areas of Himachal Pradesh also recorded a high temperature. The capital town of Shimla recorded 26.7 degrees Celsius, five degrees above normal. Bhuntar in Kullu district registered a maximum of 31.1 degrees, six degrees above normal while Sundernagar in Mandi district reported 34.9 degrees.

The heat wave, which claimed life of one person in the region so far, abated in the region on Monday, according to Weather Office here. It predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh and dust storm or thunderstorm with light rain at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours.

Heavy sand storm continued to affect most of Rajasthan for the third consecutive day while some places in Bikaner and Jaipur region recorded thundershowers and mild downpour.

Though temperature remained hot and humid across Rajasthan yet mild downpour in the evening gave some relief from the heat, met officials said.

The met sources further asserted that pressure gradient was responsible for the dusty winds while the induced western disturbances brought some rains in the evening. The met department predicted that dust storm and thundershowers are likely to occur at the isolated places in north and western parts of the State. UNI/ PTI

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