light to moderate rain was recorded in the city and neighbouring States on Monday bringing down the maximum temperature levels by up to eight notches below normal in various parts of the region.
Chandigarh received light rain of 1.3 mm and recorded maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celsius, seven notches below normal and minimum temperature of 24.2 degrees Celsius.
The city has so far received more than 40 mm rains in the month of May. It was after the year 2011 that the city witnessed its wettest May this year. In 2013, Chandigarh had recorded 7.2 mm rain, 1 mm rains in 2012 and 48.3 mm rain in 2011 in the month of May.
Meanwhile, Amritsar, ludhiana, Patiala in Punjab and Ambala, Karnal among others areas in Haryana recorded moderate rainfall on Monday. ludhiana recorded 6 mm rainfall, Patiala 1 mm, Karnal 4 mm and Ambala received 0.8 mm downpour.
After rains, Ambala recorded maximum temperature of 29.8 degrees Celsius, eight notches below normal while Narnaul recorded 34 degrees Celsius, six degrees below normal. Other districts including Hisar recorded maximum temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius, five degrees below normal, Bhiwani settled at 34.8 degrees Celsius and Karnal recorded 30 degrees Celsius, eight notches below normal.
Amritsar in Punjab settled at a maximum of 34.3 degrees Celsius, four degrees below normal. ludhiana and Patiala recorded respective maximum temperatures of 32 and 31 degrees Celsius, both seven notches below normal. Shimla, the capital city of neighbouring Himachal Pradesh received 10 mm rains and recorded maximum temperature of 20.5 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal.
The Met Department has forecast overcast conditions in next 24 hours across the region. “light to moderate rain or thundershowers would occur at few places during next 48 hours in Haryana and Punjab, and at isolated places thereafter,” said a Met official.
Thundersqualls with wind speed exceeding 45 km per hour may occur at isolated places in Haryana and Punjab during next 48 hours, predicted the Met Department. The Department has forecast rainfall in Haryana and Punjab on May 15, 16 and 17.