Incessant rains lash Chandigarh, more expected
By IANSWednesday, September 22, 2010
CHANDIGARH - Incessant rainfall for last two days virtually derailed the normal life in this union territory Wednesday leading to traffic jams and waterlogging in different parts of the city.
The weathermen have predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the region during the next one or two days.
According to meteorological officials, the city recorded nearly 140 mm rainfall from Tuesday morning till 8 p.m. Wednesday, the maximum on any day during this monsoon season.
“This time we had above average monsoon and so far our department has recorded around 1,068.2 mm of rainfall in Chandigarh,” meteorological centre director Surender Paul told IANS.
“We are expecting heavy showers accompanied with thunderstorms in Chandigarh and various parts of Punjab and Haryana in the coming days,” he said.
“Currently, the maximum temperature in the union territory is hovering between 32 and 35 degrees Celsius. The rainfall could also bring down the mercury, especially during the night,” he added.
Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 23.8 degrees Celsius Wednesday, which was nine degrees below normal.
In Punjab, Amritsar city recorded 30 degrees Celsius (four degrees below normal) and Patiala registered 26.4 degrees (eight degrees below normal) Wednesday.
In the neighbouring state of Haryana, Hisar town recorded maximum temperature of 26.2 degrees Celsius that was 10 degrees below normal.
Prediction of rains in the coming days has also cast a shadow over the prospects of the three-day warm-up match between Australia and the Gautam Gambhir-led President’s XI team at the cricket stadium in Sector 16 from Sep 25.
The Australian cricket team reached Chandigarh Monday to play this match and the first Test match of Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in neighbouring Mohali town from Oct 1.
Due to rains, the team had to cancel their practice at the Sector 16 stadium Wednesday. However, the ground and pitch remained covered throughout the day.
The players reached the stadium and preferred to stretch their muscles in the stadium’s gym.
