Thunderstorm lashes Chandigarh, cools temperature

Rain preceded by a storm gave respite to residents of Chandigarh and surrounding areas Saturday afternoon from the scorching heat of the last one week.

Scores of trees were uprooted and their branches were strewn along major roads in Chandigarh following a storm that lashed most parts of the city.

Pools of water could be seen on the roads are various places. Traffic flow was affected.

"The weather turned so pleasant in the afternoon today (Saturday). It became quite dark and then the storm came. It was a good respite from the heat," said homemaker Rajni Kaul.

Met department officials said that thunderstorms were expected in various parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh in the next two days.

Chandigarh and its nearby areas, and other places in Punjab and Haryana had been experiencing a heat wave in the past week. The maximum temperatures hovered in the range of 40 to 43 degrees.