Monsoon rains pelt Maharashtra; 46 dead

Heavy rains coupled with strong winds claimed 46 lives in Maharashtra even as hot conditions prevailed in North India on Wednesday.

Incessant rains triggered by the south-west monsoon threw normal life out of gear in financial capital Mumbai for the second year in a row as it disrupted road, air and rail traffic. Authorities issued high tide alert and cautioned fishermen not to venture out in seas.

Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said the downpour so far claimed 46 lives, mostly in wall collapse incidents. The government announced a compensation of Rs one lakh each for the dead, Rs 50,000 for seriously injured and Rs 25,000 for those with minor injuries.

Meanwhile, the monsoon advanced to parts of Gujarat and Saurashtra regions, the MeT office said, warning winds with a speed of up to 60 kmph could sweep through the region.

In the northern belt, hot conditions prevailed with the mercury continuing to hover around 40-degree mark.

National capital Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 39.5 C against yesterday's 40.6 C. However, night temperature in the city rose by over a notch to settle at 29.1 degrees. The humidity oscillated between 55 and 27 per cent.

In Rajasthan, Barmer was hottest in the desert state at 41.2 C followed by Ganganagar 40.5 C, Jaiselmer and Churu 40.3 C each. Bikaner recorded a maximum temperature of 40 degrees. The Met office said a cyclonic circulation has formed over the western part of the state.

In the region comprising Punjab and Haryana, Hissar was the hottest at 40.3 C followed by Ludhiana 39.2 C, Patiala 39 C, Karnal 38.4 C and Ambala 38.2 C.

In Himachal Pradesh, the weather remained dry in most places with Una being the hottest at 37.8 degrees followed by Sundernagar 33.1 C, Mandi 32.4 C and Bhuntar 29.9 C.