The mercury continued its downward trend in north and north western parts of the country following moderate to heavy rainfall in most places. However severe heat wave conditions prevailed over isolated parts of Orissa. <br/><br/>At 46 degrees, Hirakud recorded the maximum temperature in the state followed by Sambalpur where the mercury settled 45.8 degree celsius.<br/><br/>Low-lying areas in Rajasthan were inundated by flash floods triggered by Cyclone PHET. Mercury fell sharply in the desert state with Jaipur recording the minimum of 19.1 degree celsius. <br/><br/>Heavy rains also drenched Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab, affecting normal life. The maximum in Chandigarh plummeted to 22.5 degree celsius, 18 degrees below normal while the mercury settled at 22.4 degrees in Ambala.<br/><br/>In Himachal Pradesh, widespread rains continued to lash the plains while upper reaches experienced mild snowfall the maximum in capital Shimla, fell to 13.4 degree. <br/><br/>The MET Department predicts isolated heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Fairly widespread rain and thundershowers would also occur over Lakshadweep, Kerela, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, parts of Karnataka, Konkan and Goa. <br/><br/>In the national capital, the maximum temperature settled at 26.9 degrees which was 14 degrees below normal following overnight showers.<br/>