Chandigarh, June 30 (PTI) Punjab and Haryana on tuesday got the much-needed respite as the mercury dropped considerably after the region was lashed by pre-monsoon showers.
Conditions are favourable for further advancement of the south-west monsoon into Punjab, Haryana, including Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh on wednesday, the Meteorological Department here said.
"The Monsoon is likely to hit the region later on Tuesday or on wednesday," Director of Met Chattar Singh said.
Moderate to heavy rains lashed the region, including Chandigarh (26.8 mm), Ambala (65 mm), Karnal (22.4 mm) Narnaul (18 mm), Rohtak (7.9 mm), Gurgaon (7 mm), Sonepat (25 mm), Ludhiana (25.9 mm), Patiala (40 mm) and Amritsar (10 mm).
The mercury, which had been hovering between 40-45 degrees Celsius in Punjab and Haryana witnessed a sharp decline on Tuesday after the rains.
The rains also brought cheers to the people, including the farmers of the two agrarian states, as persistent heat conditions prevailing in the region had the peasantry worried.
The rainfall is also likely to ease the power crisis situation affecting the two states as there had been a sudden spurt in demand due to heat conditions.
In Punjab, this year the demand had shot up from last year's 5850 megawatt to 8308 MW, while availability remained only 6083 MW, according to official figures.
{{/usCountry}}In Punjab, this year the demand had shot up from last year's 5850 megawatt to 8308 MW, while availability remained only 6083 MW, according to official figures.
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