17% deficient rain in Himachal

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 8

The southwest monsoon has weakened in the past four days and the local MeT station has forecast dry weather over the next six days, making the conditions favourable for the early withdrawal of the monsoon.

The normal date for the withdrawal of the monsoon is September-end and it is too early to say that the monsoon is in the withdrawal phase, as the humidity level and other parameters are high, said Manmohan Singh, Director of MeT station.

During the current rainy season from June 1 to September 8, the state received 813.8 mm of average rainfall against the normal rainfall of 975.8 mm, a deficit of 17 per cent. Barring Bilaspur and Kullu districts, which received 23 per cent and 20 per cent excess rain, and Una that experienced normal rainfall, the remaining nine districts received deficient rain ranging between 12 per cent and 69 per cent.

The highest rain deficit of 69 per cent was recorded in Lahaul and Spiti district, followed by Chamba (50 per cent), Kinnaur (44 per cent), Sirmaur (32 per cent), Shimla (19 per cent), Kangra (18 per cent), Mandi (17 per cent) and Hamirpur and Solan (12 per cent).

Due to scanty rain, the day temperatures have started rising and Una in Shivalik foothills was the hottest in the state today with the maximum of 36°C, 4°C above normal, while Keylong and Kalpa in Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts recorded a high of 23.2°C and 25.7°C, four and five degrees above normal. Shimla was cooler with the maximum temperature of 25.4°C, 4°C above normal.

The minimum temperatures also increased marginally and stayed two to three degrees above normal at most of the places. Keylong and Kalpa recorded a low of 8.1°C and 10.4°C while Nahan was the hottest during the night with a low of 23.5°C, followed by Una 22.6°C.

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