Rain deficient in Punjab, Himachal during January; surplus in Haryana

Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 31 

Rainfall in the first month of this decade has been significantly below normal in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, though Haryana experienced surplus rain during this period.

Punjab received 11 mm rain from January 1 to January 30 against the long period average of 19.8 mm, accounting for a deficiency of 45 per cent, according to data compiled by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Though the districts lying alongside the state’s western border received normal to excess rain, other parts of the state recieved below par rainfall. Tarn Taran was the wettest district during this period with an excess of 89 per cent while Faridkot was the worst hit with a deficiency of 92 per cent.

In the hill state of Himachal Pradesh, the deficiency was 56 per cent, IMD data shows that the state received 37.6 mm rain against the long period average of 86.4 mm. The rain was below normal in all districts in the state during this month, with the deficiency being highest in Mandi.

The rain was surplus by 59 per cent in Haryana during January. IMD recorded 21.3 mm rain against the long period average of 13.4 mm. Barring four districts, Fatehabad, Ambala, Yamunanagar and Panchkula, all other districts received normal to above normal rain.

The weather department has predicted that under the influence of a fresh western disturbance, light isolated rain or snow is very likely over the Western Himalayan region during February 1-3.

Subsequently, due to the absence of any active western disturbance, below-normal rain or snow is likely over northern parts of the country, including the Western Himalayan region, till February 10.

According to IMD, minimum temperatures are prevailing in the range of two degrees Celsius to 10 degrees Celsius over most parts of northwest and adjoining areas, which are generally below normal.

Considering the prevailing wind pattern at lower levels, no significant change in minimum temperatures is very likely these parts during the next 3-4 days but will rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius thereafter. Dense to very dense fog will also be experienced in several parts of Punjab and Haryana over the new few days and foggy conditions would reduce thereafter.

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