From correspondents in Punjab, India, 03:04 PM IST

The northern states of Punjab and Haryana too saw the mercury soar way above normal with the city of Hisar being the hottest at 45.4 degrees Celsius, officials said.

The temperature recorded at most places was above the 40-degree mark and Hisar in Haryana saw the mercury rise five degrees above normal, a weather official said here.

Karnal town recorded 42 degrees Celsius, while Chandigarh was 41.2 degrees Celsius, four degrees more than normal for the month of April.

In Punjab, Ludhiana and Patiala cities recorded 42 and 42.3 degrees Celsius respectively, while the temperature at Amritsar was 41.5 degrees Celsius.

Meteorological officials forecast that the hot weather conditions would prevail in the region for the coming few days as well.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)