Rain in most parts of state, Ludhiana wettest; mercury 2.6°C above normal

Chandigarh: Most areas in Punjab received light to moderate showers over the past 24 hours, but rain in the state has been slightly below normal during March. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ludhiana received was the wettest district in the state, with 15.4 mm rain during the past 24 hours, followed by Gurdaspur, with 10.5 mm, and Moga, with 10 mm.

As far as the month of March is concerned, rain has 7 per cent below the long period average. From March 1 till the morning of March 30, the state received 20.7 mm rain against the normal of 22.2 mm for this period.

The average maximum temperature in the state was above normal by 2.6°C and the minimum temperature was above normal by 1.8°C, according to the IMD. The weather office has predicted a fall in maximum temperatures by 2-4°C over the next three days and a rise by 2-3°C in the subsequent two days.