The maximum temperature in Chandigarh reached 43.7 degree Celsius on Saturday; the highest temperature recorded this summer so far.
The high maximum temperature recorded in the city on Saturday was five notches above normal while the minimum temperature settled at 24.7 degree Celsius.
last year, the highest temperature for May was 44.6 degrees recorded on May 24. According to the Met Department, the highest temperature for the month was 44.8 degree Celsius on May 31 in 2012 and 41.3 degree Celsius on May 13 in year 2011. It was in 1988 when the city had witnessed its hottest May ever recording 46.5 degree Celsius on May 28.
Meanwhile, sweltering heat conditions prevailed across Punjab and Haryana, as maximum temperature in most places hovered above 42 degrees Celsius on Saturday.In Haryana, Hisar braved the blistering heat at maximum temperature of 44.1 degree Celsius, two degrees above normal. Among other places, Ambala recorded a high of 42.8 degree Celsius, three notches above normal, Bhiwani settled at a maximum of 44 degree Celsius.
Patiala and ludhiana districts in Punjab settled at maximum temperature of 43.6 degree Celsius and 43.4 degree Celsius respectively. The holy city-Amritsar sizzled at maximum temperature of 42.4 degree Celsius, two notches above normal.The minimum temperature recorded was 26.6 degree Celsius in Ambala, 27 degree Celsius in Bhiwani, 25.1 degree Celsius in Hissar, 25 degree Celsius in Narnual, 24.2 degree Celsius in Amritsar, 25.2 degree Celsius in ludhiana and 26.5 degree Celsius in Patiala.
The Met Department has forecast dust storm or thunderstorm with light rain at isolated places in Haryana and Punjab during next 36 hours and weather would be mainly dry thereafter.A duststorm or thunderstorm accompanied with squall with wind speed reaching 30-45 kmph may occur at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana during next 24 hours, said a Met official.