Four killed in rain-related incidents in Punjab, Haryana

Chandigarh, Jun 16 (UNI) Four people were killed in rain-related incidents as monsoon remained vigorous in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh during the past 24 hours.

Two people were killed when the roof of their house caved-in in Basti Gunjan locality of Jalandhar city in Punjab in the wee hours today, following heavy rains. The deceased were identified as Urmila (55) and her son, Vikas Dhir. Her second son, Sunny, escaped with minor injuries and was admitted to a local hospital.

In another incident, two people were washed away in Ghaggar river after a road, adjacent to the river, eroded on the outskirts of Ratia town in Fatehabad district of Haryana this morning in the wake of rains. The deceased were identified as Sonu Garg and his son Jeetu Garg. However, six other persons were rescued after they fell into the swollen river due to erosion of road near the bridge which was under repair.

Widespread rain lashed many areas in the north-west region overnight, dipping the maximum temperatures six degrees to 14 degrees celsius below normal, providing respite to people from scorching heat.

Moderate to heavy rain pounded several areas in Punjab where a general alert continued for the second day today in Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts due to flood threat along Ravi river flowing through these districts.

Patiala was the wettest place in the state, recording 122.7 mm rainfall till this morning, followed by Madhopur, near Pathankot, recording 48.0 mm, Amritsar 42.2 mm and Ludhiana 31.7 mm downpour.

Balachour, Shahpur Kandi Ranjit Sagar Dam site and Nangal Dam site in the state also had moderate rainfall.

South-west monsoon has further advanced in the remaining parts of Haryana and several areas the state experienced moderate to heavy rain overnight. Hissar with 84.5 mm rain was the wettest place in the state while Ambala registered 20.7 mm, Karnal 18.0 mm and Rohtak 17.8 mm rainfall.

Widespread rain also lashed Himachal Pradesh last night. Moderate rain lashed Shimla and tourist resorts of Wildflower Hall, Kufri, Naldehra and Narkanda. The capital town recorded 39.6 mm rainfall till this morning. Sundernagar, Sujanpur Tira, Gamroor, Solang Nala, Una, Nagrota Surian, Pandoh and Bhuntar areas also experienced moderate rainfall.

Power generation in the 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri power project, located in Shimla and Kinnuar districts of Himachal Pradesh, remained suspended for the sixth day today due high silt content in the Satluj River, a report from Shimla said.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana were also lashed by rain. The city, which measured 20.0 mm rain till this morning, recorded the maximum temperature at 27.6 degrees celsius, 11 degrees below normal.

The Met office predicted moderate to rather heavy rain or thundershowers in many areas of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab during the next 24 hours. Heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh and heavy rain at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana during the the period.

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