Showers subdue heat wave in North India

People reeling under severe heat wave conditions today heaved a sigh of relief as heavy to moderate rains lashed many parts of North India, bringing an end to the dry spell.

The rains, preceded by strong winds, caught commuters in the national capital by surprise and their delight was marred by traffic snarls at many places.

Sizzling heat, however, continued to sweep the capital during the day and the maximum temperature stood at 43.6 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal.
The humidity was recorded at 92 per cent.

Heavy rains also lashed Punjab and Haryana, and Chandigarh received 39 mm of rainfall in the evening. Ambala, Bhiwani, Patiala and Ludhiana also received showers.

Day temperatures, however, remained high in the region and Narnaul in Haryana was the hottest place at 46 degrees Celsius, followed by Hisar at 45.4 degrees Celsius.

Amritsar recorded the highest maximum temperature in Punjab at 44.8 degrees, followed by Ludhiana, which recorded 43.6 degrees Celsius.

Light to moderate rains occurred at isolated places over eastern Uttar Pradesh, but the weather remained mainly dry in other areas.

Kheri received 3 cm of rainfall, while Bahraich and Sitapur received 2 cm rains each, the MeT department said.

Agra was the hottest place in the region at 45.4 degree Celsius.