March begins with record rain all over state

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 2

The spring rain set a new record in Himachal with excess rain in a single day in March today. All 12 districts received rainfall, in excess of the normal, Met office said.

Solan and Sirmaur districts received the highest precipitation — 113 mm and 110 mm, respectively against normal rain of l3.7 mm and 1 mm, while Bilaspur received 70 mm against 1.5 mm, Chamba 38.9 mm against 2.5 mm, Hamirpur 49.5 mm against 2.9 mm, Kangra 42.1 against 3.6 mm, Kinnaur 65 mm against 2.5 mm, Kullu 40.7 mm against 3 mm, Lahaul and Spiti 61 mm against 4.5 mm, Mandi 42.8 mm against 1.8 mm, Shimla 39.8 mm against 1.7 mm and Una 109 mm against 1 mm.

The state received 57.5mm precipitation against normal average rainfall of 2.8 mm which is 1950 per cent more than its normal value, Director local Met station Manmohan Singh said.

Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur recorded 65 cm snow, maximum in the month of March today after 24 cm recorded on March 15, 2013, while Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti received 61 cm as compared to 43 cm received on March 5, 2012. Una received 81 mm rainfall after March 13, 1911, when it received 73.3 mm rain; Renuka received 149 mm after March 27, 1967, when it received 84.3 mm.

Nahan received 116 mm rain against 86 mm on March 9, 1963; Kasauli 119 mm as compared to 64.7 mm on March 22, 1982; Dharampur received 120 mm which was 27 mm more than the highest rainfall recorded on March 2, 1982. Kandaghat received 122-mm rain against 87.8 mm, 1995; Sangrah received 115 mm against 65 mm recorded on March 1, 2007, while Amb received 85 mm rain as compared to 62 mm received on March 13, 2007 and Gohar received 69 mm rain compared to 62 mm received on March 14, 2007.

Kangra valley drenched

Nurpur: Light to moderate rain lashed the lower Kangra valley adding to the worry of farmers who were expecting a bumper wheat crop this year. Rain has disrupted normal life in the region forcing people to stay indoors. Markets in Nurpur, Jawali, Jassur, Rehan, Indora and Kotla wore a deserted look as it continued to pour throughout the day. It has also brought down the temperature considerably causing cold-wave like condition here. Rain lashing the area for the past few days is causing loss to wheat crops sowed in paddy fields due to waterlogging.— OC.

Rs 23 crore loss in Kullu

Kullu: Kullu Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar on Monday said a loss of over Rs23 crore had been estimated due to recent rain and snowfall in the district. He said various roads, irrigation schemes, electricity and telecommunication lines, crops and other amenities were damaged due to incessant rainfall. He said various departments were analysing the reports to assess the exact amount of damage caused due to inclement weather. Meanwhile, there was no respite from the ongoing weather condition as incessant rain continued throughout the day in the lower region of the entire valley, while snow prevailed on higher reaches of the district today. Manali town experienced snow flakes mixed with rain today, while Solang Nullah received another spell of fresh snow. — OC

119 mm rain in Una, chances of potato blight high

Una: Heavy rain, measuring 119 mm, lashed the Una region in the past 36 hours. The sky was still overcast, promising more rainfall. HS Rana, Deputy Director, District Agriculture Department, said continuous moist weather had increased the chances of potato blight. He said leaves display dark brown patches in the beginning, followed by plant mortality. He recommended a 1.5 per cent foliar spray of Ridomil on the crop to protect them from fungal infection. — OC