Chandigarh (PTI): The mamximum temperature showed marginal increase in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Thursday with the mercury jumping up by about one to two notches in the region even as many areas are likely to be hit by dust or thunder storms or hailstorms.

The Met office predicted light ot moderate rains accompanied by thunder storms in the region during the next 24 hours. Besides, hailstorms with wind speed exceeding 45 Km per hour may strike several areas of twin states of Punjab and Haryana. In the plains, Hisar settled at a highest temperature of 41.4 degrees celsius, one notch above normal.

Among the other places, Bhiwani had a high of 40.4, Amritsar reeled at 40.2, two notches above normal, Patiala 40.1 and Ludhiana had a high of 38.9 degrees celsius.

While Karnal registered a high of 39 degrees celsius, the maximum day temperature at Chandigarh was 38.4 degrees celsius. Besides soaring temperature after a brief relief to the people from scorching heat in the past two days, frequent breakdown of power supply at several places of Punjab and Haryana added to the woes of the people.

The on-going heat spell in the region had so far claimed two lifes in Amritsar district of Punjab.