Plains baked, while trekker survives snowbound peaks; max temperature drops 4.9°C on average in Punjab
Bathinda/Dharamshala: Northern India saw two extremes of weather on Sunday — blistering heat across the plains of Punjab and Haryana, and a dramatic mountain rescue in the snowline above Dharamshala, where an injured Israeli tourist was found after going missing for a week.
In Punjab, a drop of 4.9°C in average maximum temperatures brought minor relief, but sweltering conditions persisted. Bathinda was the hottest in the state at 42.2°C, followed by 40°C in Faridkot, while all other districts stayed just under the 40-degree mark. In neighbouring Haryana, Sirsa recorded the highest at 41.4°C, with heatwave conditions continuing in isolated pockets.
Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall, gusty winds (40-50 kmph), and thunderstorms swept through parts of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, offering scattered respite amid rising discomfort.
In stark contrast to the plains, the Dhauladhar mountain range above Dharamshala became the site of a gripping survival story, as police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rescued Samuel Vengrinovich, 44, an Israeli tourist who went missing during a high-altitude trek near Triund. Authorities said Vengrinovich was part of a group trekking in the snowline zone when he sustained a leg injury and chose to descend alone.
When the rest of the group returned and found him missing, his companion filed a police complaint on June 9, triggering a multi-agency week-long search. The injured trekker was located in rugged terrain on Sunday and airlifted to Tanda Medical College and Hospital, where he is under treatment currently. Officials confirmed he had survived seven days with minimal resources.
An overcast sky in many parts and light rain in some areas of Himachal Pradesh kept the mercury down on Sunday, even as the weather department issued a yellow alert, forecasting thunderstorms and rains in the coming days.
The meteorological centre in Shimla sees likelihood of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds all over the state, except Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti, for the next four days until June 19.
Thereafter, it predicts heavy rainfall in isolated parts of the state on June 20 and 21.
Una, meanwhile, recorded the highest maximum temperature of 39.8°C, a drop of 2.4°C in 24 hours. Other places where the maximum temperature saw a drop included Mandi (35.8 °C), Bilaspur (35.4°C), and Kangra (35.3°C). Among the tourist destinations, Shimla recorded a maximum of 27°C, Manali 26.7°C, Dharamshala 32°C, Kasauli 28.7°C, and Dalhousie 25°C. Kukumseri in Lahaul Spiti recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 9.2°C.
As plains' residents braved a searing sun, the rescue effort in Himachal highlighted the dual challenges posed by summer extremes — heat in the lowlands and treacherous conditions in snowbound peaks.
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Time of India
21 hours ago
- Time of India
Plains baked, while trekker survives snowbound peaks; max temperature drops 4.9°C on average in Punjab
Bathinda/Dharamshala: Northern India saw two extremes of weather on Sunday — blistering heat across the plains of Punjab and Haryana, and a dramatic mountain rescue in the snowline above Dharamshala, where an injured Israeli tourist was found after going missing for a week. In Punjab, a drop of 4.9°C in average maximum temperatures brought minor relief, but sweltering conditions persisted. Bathinda was the hottest in the state at 42.2°C, followed by 40°C in Faridkot, while all other districts stayed just under the 40-degree mark. In neighbouring Haryana, Sirsa recorded the highest at 41.4°C, with heatwave conditions continuing in isolated pockets. Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall, gusty winds (40-50 kmph), and thunderstorms swept through parts of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, offering scattered respite amid rising discomfort. In stark contrast to the plains, the Dhauladhar mountain range above Dharamshala became the site of a gripping survival story, as police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rescued Samuel Vengrinovich, 44, an Israeli tourist who went missing during a high-altitude trek near Triund. Authorities said Vengrinovich was part of a group trekking in the snowline zone when he sustained a leg injury and chose to descend alone. When the rest of the group returned and found him missing, his companion filed a police complaint on June 9, triggering a multi-agency week-long search. The injured trekker was located in rugged terrain on Sunday and airlifted to Tanda Medical College and Hospital, where he is under treatment currently. Officials confirmed he had survived seven days with minimal resources. An overcast sky in many parts and light rain in some areas of Himachal Pradesh kept the mercury down on Sunday, even as the weather department issued a yellow alert, forecasting thunderstorms and rains in the coming days. The meteorological centre in Shimla sees likelihood of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds all over the state, except Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti, for the next four days until June 19. Thereafter, it predicts heavy rainfall in isolated parts of the state on June 20 and 21. Una, meanwhile, recorded the highest maximum temperature of 39.8°C, a drop of 2.4°C in 24 hours. Other places where the maximum temperature saw a drop included Mandi (35.8 °C), Bilaspur (35.4°C), and Kangra (35.3°C). Among the tourist destinations, Shimla recorded a maximum of 27°C, Manali 26.7°C, Dharamshala 32°C, Kasauli 28.7°C, and Dalhousie 25°C. Kukumseri in Lahaul Spiti recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 9.2°C. As plains' residents braved a searing sun, the rescue effort in Himachal highlighted the dual challenges posed by summer extremes — heat in the lowlands and treacherous conditions in snowbound peaks.
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Assam flood situation remains bleak, over 5.6 lakh affected
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New Indian Express
04-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang holds high-level meeting to take stock of situation in landslide-hit Mangan
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