Sudden heavy rainfall and hailstorm took Chandigarh residents by surprise on Sunday evening. After the rainfall, the maximum temperature dropped slightly giving a respite to the people from sweltering heat sweeping Haryana, Punjab and their joint capital — Chandigarh — for the past few days. Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 37.9 degree Celsius and minimum temperature of 26 degree Celsius. Surender Pal, director Metrological department said dust storm followed by hail storm and rain were recorded in Chandigarh and adjoining areas. Rains accompanied with high-velocity winds of close to 64.8 kmph were recorded in Chandigarh on Sunday evening.
Electricity supply was affected in most parts of Chandigarh and adjoining areas following the storm. Also, a large number of trees and electricity poles were uprooted due to the high velocity winds in the city and adjoining areas. He said, “Chandigarh recorded 30.4 mm rains on Sunday. The weather conditions were the result of western disturbances and high temperatures across the region in past few days. Pal added that overcast conditions will be witnessed in next 24 hours across the region. “Dust storms with light rain is likely to occur in Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab during next 24 hours. Thundersqualls with wind speed exceeding 45 km per hour may occur at isolated places in the region in next 48 hours, said the Met official. In Haryana, Hissar recorded a maximum temperature of 40 degree Celsius, Ambala settled at 38 degree Celsius and Narnaul recorded maximum of 38.5 degree Celsius on Sunday.
Among other places, Amritsar settled at maximum temperature of 42 degree Celsius, ludhiana at 39 degree Celsius and Patiala 39.2 degree Celsius.The minimum temperature recorded was 20 degree Celsius in Amritsar, 24.6 degree Celsius in ludhiana and 25.1 degree Celsius in Patiala, 24.5 degree Celsius in Ambala, 22.2 degree Celsius in Karnal, 24.5 degree Celsius in Hissar, 24.8 degree Celsius in Bhiwani and 23 degree Celsius in Narnual.Shimla, the capital city of Himachal recorded a minimum temperature of 14.7 degree Celsius and maximum temperature settled at 25.2 degree Celsius.