13 killed in Kerala in rain-related incidents; max temp normal in north India

Four people died in Kerala today, taking the death toll in rain-related incidents in the state over the past two days to 13, while the maximum temperature in several parts of northern India remained close to normal.

Most of the deaths in Kerala happened due to drowning in swollen rivers and after trees fell on them, officials said. The four deaths today were reported from Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts, they added.

Following the onset of the southwest monsoon, Kerala has been battered by heavy rainfall, damaging crops and property in Idukki, Kozhikode and Kannur districts.

In Bengaluru, rain played spoilsport on Afghanistan's first practice session ahead of its historic Test debut against India. Rain threat looms large over the match starting on June 14 as the weathermen has forecast wet conditions for another two days.

In north India, moderate rainfall in Rajasthan brought relief to people battling the sweltering heat in the desert state. With a maximum of 41.2 degrees Celsius, Jaisalmer was hottest place in the state, followed by Barmer (40.9C).

Dust storm and thunderstorm are likely to occur at a few places in east Rajasthan tomorrow, the official said.

However, the day temperature in Delhi during the morning hours dropped several notches, a day after a sudden dust storm hit the national capital. The maximum temperature was recorded at 38.4 degrees Celsius, a notch below the average.

The meteorological department had predicted light rain during the day, but it did not occur. The rainfall recorded till 8:30 am today was 4.7 mm, the department said.

The weatherman predicted partly cloudy sky tomorrow.

Moderate rain occurred at a few places in Himachal Pradesh, with Paonta Sahib, south of Sirmour district, being the wettest in the state with 35 mm of precipitation.

Intermittent rainfall occurred in Shimla and surrounding areas, while the sky remained heavily overcast. The state capital and Mandi received 20 mm and 19 mm of rains.

The weather office in Lucknow said rain and thunderstorm are "very likely" at a few places over eastern Uttar Pradesh tomorrow. The day temperature has increased in Gorakhpur, Faizabad, Allahabad, Lucknow and Bareilly.

In Punjab and Haryana, the maximum temperature hovered around the normal at many places, a day after rain lashed several places in the two states.

Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a high of 37.2 degrees Celsius, down two notches against normal limits, the MeT department in Chandigarh said.

Amritsar recorded a maximum temperature of 37.1C, down two notches against normal limit, in Punjab. Ambala in Haryana recorded a high of 37.3C, one notch below the normal.

Thunderstorm with gusty winds are likely at isolated places in Haryana and Punjab tomorrow, the MeT forecast said.

Heavy rainfall lashed a few places in Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha region, while thunderstorm was observed at isolated places over Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

The weather department has forecast rain or thundershower with gusty winds and lightning at isolated places over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh until tomorrow.