New Delhi, Apr 18 (IANS): Widespread rains accompanied by dust storm and thunderstorms that swept through the northern and western parts of the country over the past three days, claiming over 60 lives, kept mercury levels low on Thursday with minimum temperature in Delhi recorded at 17.1 degrees Celsius.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the temperature in Delhi and adjoining states dropped by 6-10 degrees Celsius owing to the western disturbance over Iran that moved eastward in last three-four days, causing widespread rain and thunderstorms in the region.

An IMD official said the western disturbance had now moved toward eastern states and would have some impact in the hilly areas of north India.

On Thursday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 17.1 degrees Celsius, five notches below the season's average. On Wednesday, it was 19 degrees Celsius.

Temperature in Haryana and Punjab was in the range of 16-34 degrees Celsius.

Private forecaster Skymet said temperature would start rising slowly from Friday, forecasting dry days ahead, but ruled out any possibility of heat waves.

Rains are expected in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand in the evening.

Tirupati in AP was the hottest city in India on Thursday with a maximum temperature of 42.6 degrees Celsius.

In many parts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, crops, particularly wheat, were flattened due to winds blowing at 60-70 kmph and hailstorm. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had on Wednesday ordered a harvest inspection for assessment of crop damage.

Temperatures across Himachal Pradesh fell on Thursday due to widespread downpour with Dalhousie recording the highest 53 mm rain. Shimla recorded 15.5 mm rain and the temperature hit a low of 6.7 degrees Celsius, a fall from Wednesday's 8 degrees Celsius.

Rains have also caused landslides in Shimla, Kinnaur, Chamba and Kullu districts, hampering vehicular traffic. Keylong, headquarters of the Lahaul-Spiti district, was the coldest at a minimum temperature of 1 degree Celsius.

Rajasthan bore the brunt of the storm with over 25 deaths. Deaths and destruction of crops were also reported from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar and Maharashtra. In MP, the toll due to untimely rains and lightening reached 22 on Thursday. The state government has announced financial assistance to the deceased's kins.