M A I N   N E W S

7 dead as rains lash North

New Delhi, August 19
Seven persons were killed in rain-related incidents in the northern region where showers brought down temperatures giving relief from hot and humid weather. However, rains eluded the national capital, where temperature remained above normal levels.

Four children of a family were killed when their house collapsed following heavy rainfall in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir this morning. Six other members of the family were also injured.

Several parts of Punjab and Haryana witnessed moderate to heavy rains bringing mercury down and providing respite to the people from humid weather. In Punjab, Ludhiana got 12 mm rains, Patiala 5 mm, Pathankot 2 mm, Madhopur 30 mm, Shahpur Kandi belt 102 mm, Ropar 10 mm, Ranjit Sagar Dam 22.6 mm and Mohali 40 mm. The maximum temperature in Chandigarh was recorded at 27.4 deg C, down by six notches. Ambala registered a high of 27.8 deg C, down five degrees while Rohtak's maximum was 32.6 deg C, down by one degree. In UP, three persons were killed and one more injured after being struck by lightning in two villages of Shahjahanpur district. Rajasthan also received mild to moderate rains in several parts of the state during the past 24 hours, the MeT department has said. — PTI