Rain gives Punjab, Chandigarh respite from heat, dust

Parts of Punjab and Haryana on Sunday got a break from the heat wave and dusty conditions as rainfall finally hit the region. Chandigarh and its surrounding areas were lashed by rain since Saturday evening.

The maximum temperature in the capital city of Punjab and Haryana was 29.4, nine degrees below the average on Saturday.

Chandigarh and nearby areas continued to get intermittent rain on Sunday with overcast skies.

"Chandigarh saw such a bad weather in the past over one week. First, there was a heat wave followed by two days of very dusty weather. The rain has brought so much relief," Manju Malhotra, a homemaker in Panchkula town, said.

All flights to and from the Chandigarh airport were cancelled on Thursday and Friday due to dusty conditions. Hundreds of passengers were affected by the flight disruption. Flight operation resumed on Saturday.

The Met Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall in several areas of both states till Monday.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Himachal Pradesh has predicted rainfall in dust-covered Shimla in the next two days. The Himachal town was battling high temperatures and dust-laden air the past week. 

"North-westerly winds carried dust to entire North India. Humidity was high in Himachal. With dust, visibility was poor here. Rainfall is expected in next 2 days, it'll clear weather," state IMD Director Manmohan Singh told ANI.

The weather department also issued warnings of thunderstorms, rain, and squally winds in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and western Himalayan region.

(With inputs from agencies)