Met Dept issues travel advisory

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 11

The Meteorological Department has issued a travel advisory to people who are planning to visit hills to spend a long weekend ahead of the Independence Day.

According to Surinder Paul, Director, Chandigarh Meteorological Centre, there are chances of heavy rain on August 13 and 14 in the hilly areas.

“So far, there has been a moderate rainfall in the city. However, monsoon is likely to get active on August 13 and 14 and there are chances of heavy rain in the hilly areas. Besides, there will be heavy rain in Chandigarh as well as areas of northern Punjab, which are located near the hills,” said Surinder Paul.

The advisory had been issued as rain activity was likely to intensify in the region on August 13. There were chances of heavy rain in the mid and lower hills over the next three days.

Sharp showers are likely to pound several parts of Himachal Pradesh as monsoon was still active in the state, said Surinder Paul.

According to the reports available with the local Met Department, in Kangra district, which is experiencing heavy rain for past three weeks, 58 roads have been closed due to landslides, while 41 roads have been closed in Shimla and 32 in Mandi.

Meanwhile, the city witnessed the maximum temperature of 33.8 degrees Celsius and the minimum of 27 degrees Celsius. 

Chandigarh still rain deficit

As per the Meteorological Department, the City Beautiful is still rain deficit. Surinder Paul said from August 1 to 11, the department observatory located in Sector 39 had received 86.5 mm rainfall, while from June 1 to August 11, it had recorded 382.8 mm of rainfall. As per the department, the average rainfall by August 11 should be 530.5 mm. There has been a deficit of 147.7 mm rain till Friday.