Dust settles as wait for rain gets over

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 17

Bathinda and its adjoining areas received the much-awaited spell of rain. The drizzle, which started on Saturday, turned into a downpour by Sunday morning.

The region received 23-mm rainfall, which also lowered the temperature by several degrees.

As per the data recorded by the Punjab Agricultural University’s regional centre in Bathinda on Sunday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 29 degree Celsius as compared to 39 degree Celsius recorded on Saturday.

The minimum temperature also registered a fall as it was recorded at 21.5 degree Celsius on Sunday as against 29.2 degree Celsius on Saturday.

Although, by late afternoon, the sun shone bright, raising the humidity level, winds blowing at 3.3 kmph kept the weather pleasant.

Rain serves the purpose

Residents of the region had been waiting for rain in a hope that it would settle the dust hanging thick in the air.

As per the data recorded by the Punjab Pollution Control Board, the rain served the purpose as expected.

The particulate matter (size less than 10 µm) or PM10 µg/m3, the permissible limit of which is 100, was recorded close to 300 on June 15 and shot to more than 400 on June 16.

After the rain, the level of PM10 µg/m3 tumbled down to a little more than 100.

Particulate matter (size less than 2.5 µm) or PM2.5 µg/m3, the permissible limit of which is 60, was recorded at around 170 on June 16 and around 210 on June 16. The rain, however, resulted in PM2.5 µg/m3 being recorded at around 60 on June 17.

As per the forecast released by the Indian Meteorological Department for the region, similar weather is expected to prevail on Monday as well. The temperature is expected to increase during midweek.

The weather may become pleasant again towards the weekend as the region is poised to experience partly cloudy sky with a possibility of rain or thunderstorm.