M A I N   N E W S

Heatwave claims 7 more lives

Chandigarh, May 18
The heatwave sweeping across Punjab and Haryana has claimed seven more lives in the two states, even as the temperature remained 3°C to 6°C above normal in most of the areas of the region today.

The torrid conditions proved fatal for two persons in Sirsa and one each in Rohtak, Jalandhar, Anandpur Sahib, Amritsar and Bathinda, hospital and police sources said.

With seven more deaths in the region, the total number of persons who have died due to sunstroke in the plains of Punjab and Haryana has touched 28 this summer in the past three weeks.

While 19 persons have died in Punjab, eight have lost their lives in Haryana and one in Chandigarh.

Meteorological Bureau Director S.C. Bhan ruled out any respite from the second longest spell of heatwave conditions since 1998. He said the heatwave that year and earlier in 1995 had lasted almost three weeks.

Meanwhile, people in and around Hisar experienced blistering weather conditions as the mercury today soared to a record high of 47.6°C, six degrees above normal this summer.

The entire Bhiwani district, bordering Rajasthan, reeled under a temperature of 46°C. Ambala stayed hotter at 43.7°C, three degrees above the normal.

The mercury crossed 48°C in Bathinda. Amritsar recorded 45°C, six degrees above normal, even though the maximum temperature today fell by one degree from yesterday. Ludhiana recorded 44.1°C, three degrees above normal, and Patiala 44.4°C, four degrees above normal.

People in and around Chandigarh and adjoining areas of Panchkula and SAS Nagar braved torrid weather conditions, with the mercury rising by 0.6°C to 42.8°C, against yesterday’s 42.2°C, five degrees above normal.

Shimla saw the mercury today rising to 28.1°C, five degrees above normal. Sundernagar turned out to be the hottest place in the state with a maximum temperature of 39.1°C, followed by Bhuntar at 36.1°C. UNI, PTI