A high-velocity dust-storm accompanied by rain on Wednesday hit Chandigarh and its surrounding areas in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, bringing down the temperature levels.
The storm, with wind speed exceeding 45 kmph, hit Chandigarh during the afternoon, forcing vehicles to move with their head-lights on as visibility level was reduced considerably.
There were also reports of trees being uprooted on several roads in the region while power supply was also hit for a brief period due to the storm in various parts.
Many parts of Punjab including Mohali, Zirakpur, Patiala, ludhiana and Muktsar were hit by the dust-storm while in Haryana, the dust-storm affected Panchkula, Karnal, Mahendergarh and Ambala.
light to moderate rains also lashed many places after the dust-storm, said a Met official.
According to the Met Department, the maximum temperatures dropped at many places in the region after dust-storm and rain.
Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 34.4 degrees Celsius, down three notches against normal level.
In Haryana, Bhiwani recorded a high of 38.4 degrees, Hisar settled at 38.1 degree Celsius, Hisar 38.1 degrees and Narnaul 36.5 degree Celsius.
The holy city of Amritsar in neighboring Punjab recorded maximum temperature at 34.1 degree Celsius, four degrees down the normal level. ludhiana and Patiala recorded respective maximum temperatures of 34.7 degree Celsius and 34.6 degree Celsius.
The minimum temperature recorded was 28 degrees in Chandigarh, 26 degree Celsius in Ambala, 25.2 degrees in Karnal, 25.1 degrees in Amritsar, 25.9 degrees in ludhiana and 26 degrees in Patiala.
The Met Department has forecast light to moderate rain at a few places in Punjaband Haryana during next 24 hours.