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Monsoon eludes Punjab, Haryana

Chandigarh, June 30
Mercury rose in several parts of Punjab and Haryana today as monsoon continued to elude these states.

Even though rain lashed the city and surrounding areas yesterday, residents will have to wait for a few more days before monsoon finally arrives, Met office said here.

Hisar in Haryana experienced a high of 42.1°C, three degrees above normal. Ambala was also hot at 38.9°C.

Amritsar turned out to be the hottest place in Punjab with temperature shooting by two degrees above normal to touch 40.2°C. Ludhiana and Patiala also braved a hot and humid day recording near similar maximums at 38.8°C and 38.4°C, respectively.

Sultry conditions prevailed in Chandigarh today and the maximum rose to 37.2°C. The maximum relative humidity was also high at 85 per cent.

The south-west monsoon which unleashed its fury at many places in Himachal during the past 48 hours was less active today. Shimla witnessed the maximum rise by three degrees above normal at 24.7°C after being drenched by heavy rain earlier.

The Met office has predicted moderate to rather heavy rain at many places in Himachal and light to moderate rain at a few places in Punjab and Haryana during the next 48 hours.

The high at Bhunter rose by three degrees at 34.5°C. PTI, UNI