Pre-monsoon showers today lashed many parts of North India bringing down mercury levels by few notches. Heavy rain in Punjab and Haryana provided much needed respite to the people from the sultry weather conditions, while Himachal Pradesh also received good rainfall. The maximum temperature dropped from 26.7 degree C to 19.4 degrees in the capital Shimla which received 5 mm rains. But there was no respite for people in Rajasthan and Delhi from the sweltering heat. <br/><br/>According to MeT department south-west monsoon may hit Punjab and Haryana by 7th of this month and Himachal Pradesh within two days. Mercury remained below normal in Jammu and Kashmir with the sun playing hide and seek. Weathermen forecast rain or thundershowers at isolated places in the state tomorrow.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Delhi continued to reel under intense heat with a maximum temperature of 41 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature touching the 30.1 mark. Relentless heat wave conditions continued unabated in Rajasthan with Churu baking at 43 degree Celsius. According to a MeT forecast southwest monsoon might appear later this weekend in the state.