M A I N   N E W S

Mercury soars in HP, J&K

Chandigarh, May 12
Thanks to strong westerlies with high moisture contents, people at many a place in Punjab and Haryana were saved from the four-day long oppressive heatwave conditions whereas Hisar in Haryana continued to grapple under the high of 46.2° C, 5° C above normal.

However, people in the hilly states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh had little respite from the scorching heatwave conditions as mercury rose further today.

Amritsar after recording the hottest day of the decade yesterday at 46.9° C, 7° C above normal, had high dipping today to 42.2° C. This was still 4 ° C above normal.

The day temperatures in and around Chandigarh, Ambala, Ludhiana and Patiala today fell to 36.6° C, 37.6° C, 39.4° C and 38.9° C, respectively. These were 1° C below normal.

A large number of tourists flocking Shimla, tourist resorts of Wild Flower Hall, Kufri, Naldehra and Narkanda to escape the gruelling heatwave in plains had the feel of hot weather conditions as mercury soared to 28.6° C coupled with acute water shortage. The authorities pressed tankers in service to supply water, a Shimla report said.

There was no respite from the scorching heatwave conditions in and around Srinagar, as mercury hovered around 33° C.

The weather forecasters here, however, said light rains or thundershowers were likely to occur at a few places in Uttaranchal, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir. UNI

Heat wave death toll 36

New Delhi, May 12
The heat wave sweeping several parts of the country, which has so far claimed 36 lives, showed no signs of letting up, with the mercury rising steadily.

Andhra Pradesh reported seven deaths today from Krishna district.

Orissa has accounted for the maximum 20 deaths, mostly in the coastal districts, but officials would confirm only five deaths. Thirteeen have died in Andhra Pradesh, two in Nagpur and one in Chennai.

Sriganganagar in Rajasthan was the hottest place in the country, with the maximum temperature there soaring to 48°C. Orissa was close behind, with temperatures in many cities hovering about 47°C.

Official sources in Bhubaneswar said five persons died of sun stroke during the last fortnight. While two deaths have been reported in Sambalpur, one death each occurred in Cuttack, Khurda and Nayagarh Districts. UNI