New Delhi:
People of North India heaved a sigh of relief as heavy to moderate rains lashed many areas this evening, bringing an end to the dry spell.
The rains were preceded by strong winds and caught commuters in the national capital by surprise, but their joy was marred by traffic snarls at many places.
Sizzling heat, however, continued to sweep the capital during the day and the maximum temperature stood at 43.6 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal.
The humidity was recorded at 92 per cent. Heavy rains also lashed Punjab and Haryana, and Chandigarh received 39 mm of rainfall in the evening. Ambala, Bhiwani, Patiala and Ludhiana also received showers.
Day temperatures, however, remained high in the region and Narnaul in Haryana was the hottest place at 46 degrees Celsius, followed by Hisar at 45.4 degrees Celsius.
Amritsar recorded the highest maximum temperature in Punjab at 44.8 degrees, followed by Ludhiana, which recorded 43.6 degrees Celsius.
Light to moderate rains occurred at isolated places over eastern Uttar Pradesh, but the weather remained mainly dry in other areas.
Kheri received 3 cm of rainfall, while Bahraich and Sitapur received 2 cm rains each, the MeT department said.
Agra was the hottest place in the region at 45.4 degree Celsius.
There was no let-up in heat wave in Rajasthan today as temperatures in the desert state continued to hover well above the normal levels in most places.
Churu and Bikaner were the hottest places in the state with a maximum temperature of 47 degrees Celsius, the MeT department said.
The day temperatures in Sriganganagar, Jaisalmer, Kota and Jaipur were recorded at 46.9, 44.6, 44.2 and 43.9 degrees Celsius, while it settled above or close to the 40 degree mark in other places.
Intermittent rains lashed mid and higher hills of Himachal Pradesh also, leading to marginal fall in day temperature.
The sky remained overcast in Shimla for most part of the day, and rains were also reported from Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Solan and Sirmaur districts.
Una in the lower hills was hottest during the day, where the temperature stood at 42.8 degrees.