Monsoon hit northern India two weeks in advance

New Delhi, June 15 (UNI) The Monsoon has finally hit north India but two weeks in advance, breaking the ten-years record of reaching northern states.

However, early rain showers has posed the threat of floods in the border districts of Gurdaspur and Amritsar in Punjab and have claimed five lives-- four in UP and one in Gujarat.

As the monsoons broke over the North-West region, two to three weeks ahead of schedule, the threat of floods has begun to loom large in the border districts of Gurdaspur and Amritsar in Punjab following heavy rains in the catchment areas of the Ravi and its tributaries in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

The administration of the two districts sounded a general alert along the Ravi river, which cris-crosses along the Indo-Pak border.

Reports from Hoshiarpur said a number of 'choes' (seasonal rivulets) were flooded due to rains in Himachal Pardesh and in the district. Flooding of the Bhangi choe led to about 250 jhuggis being washed away in Bassi Galan village.

The water levels in the Mehngrowal and Arrial choes had also risen and had eroded the soil all along its course posing a threat to villages in their vicinity. There were also reports of flooding in a number of cities and towns of Punjab.

In Punjab, Ludhiana received 23.8 mmm rain while Patial recorded 1.1 mm rain the last 24 hours. Hoshiarpur recorded 65 mm rain while Garhshankar had 50 mm rain and Mukerain 38.8 mm.

In Haryana, Hisar recorded 50 mm rain while Karnal and Ambala reported traces of rainfall.

The Union Territory of Chandigarh recorded 8.2 mm rain till 0830 hours. The conditions remained overcast through the day with short spells of showers sending people indoors.

However, according to Met office today this was the earliest monsoon to arrive in Delhi in ten years as it comes a record 14 days ahead of its normal date of June 29. It was in 1998 that the monsoon had entered the capital so early.

The minimum temperature recorded this morning in the Capital was 27.5 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal and the maximum was at 28.8 degrees Celsius, 11 degrees below normal, the Met department said.

The Met office recorded a rainfall of 30.3 mm till evening and described it as monsoon. They forecast a generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rains or thunderstorm in the coming days.

Monsoon in UP had also seen advancing vigorously specially in eastern parts, whereas, was active in western areas, weatherman siad.

However, the downpour that gave respite to people from humid and sultry weather also claimed four lives in UP and one in Gujarat.

Fresh deaths were reported from Sultanpur, Bareilly and Unnav.

In Sultanpur, mother and daughter succumbed on the spot after a tree fell upon their car in Chanda area due to strong winds and showers, whereas a girl drowned in spating Ramganga in Bareilly, however a labourer was electrocuted following the current in the wet walls in Unnav district.

In Gujarat, heavy rains since last 24 hrs claimed the life of one youth as he was electrocuted in Surat last evening. Heavy rains were also reported in the Gir forest region, but no loss of wildlife was reported.

Kutch received moderate to heavy rainfalls during last 24 hours. Kandla port was inundated with 350 mm rains in seven hours.

Gandhidham and Anjar cities of Kutch received 250 mm rains in eight hours. In South Gujarat, Surat received 21.9 mm rains.

In Jamnagar, the rains affected normal life in the entire district. Cases of uprooting of trees and short circuits were reported from many parts of the state.

MORE UNI Team GT AS2020