Asom floods recede, monsoon in South, mercury rises in N

New Delhi, June 21 (UNI) Monsoon revived in the South, even as temperatures rose in the northern and northwest region and the flood situation in Asom showed signs of improvement today.

Andhra Pradesh experienced rains with upper air circulation off the coastal parts of the state persisting.

The flood situation in Asom improved with water levels of all rivers receding throughout the state except the Brahmaputra at Dibrugarh, which is flowing above its red mark by 0.72 metre.

A reviving monsoon cut a swathe across the country's Eastern and Western seaboard , as conditions brightened for more rains in north-central Maharashtra, Marathwada and Telengana, the met office said.

Rain/thundershower occurred at a few places over coastal Orissa, northeastern states, Konkan and Goa, coastal Karnataka and Kerala.

Sporadic rainfall also occurred over Gangetic West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu and Vidarbha over the last 24 hours.

Conditions were ''favourable'' for further advance of southwest monsoon into north-central Maharashtra, parts of Marathawada and remaining parts of Telangana during the next 48 hours, an official of the India Metereological Department told UNI.

In the capital, a relatively clear day with periods of bright sunlight led to a rise in maximum temperature to 39 degree Celsius.

Though the temperature remained at a normal level, sunlight interspersed with cloudy intervals, together with a high humidity level of nearly 40 per cent, led to perspiring conditions in the capital.

Some relief, however, continued to be provided by easterly winds which have been blowing through the capital since Monday evening.

The weather office has, however, refuted the possibility of the fresh spell of rains being pre-monsoon showers.

In Punjab, Amritsar was the hottest place recording 40 degrees Celsius, one degree below normal. Ludhiana and Patiala registered 39.4 degrees Celsius.

The mercury soared to 40.1 degrees Celsius at Ambala, turning it the hottest place in Haryana. Hisar recorded 40 degrees and Karnal 37.8 degrees, one degree below normal.

Temperatures also rose in Himachal Pradesh with Bhuntar in Kullu district recording 34 degrees, Sunderdnagar in Mandi district 35.5 degrees and Kalpa in Kinnaur district 23.5 degrees. State capital Shimla recorded 25.5 degrees, one degree below normal.

Hot weather conditions prevailed in Chandigarh and its surrounding areas as the mercury further rose from 38 degrees to 40 degrees in the city.

In Kerala, the local Met office said Kochi and Kozhikode received 15 and 12 cm rain respectively.

Chertala and Piravam recorded nine cm of rains followed by Kasargode 8 cm, Paravoor and Kollam seven cm, Kodungalur and Varkala six cm and Kottayam five cm.

In Asom, official sources claimed that erosions have been occurring in Marigaon district specially under Daharighat and Bhuragaon Revenue circles.

According to the sources, over 5.50 lakhs people in 847 villages over 16districts of the state have been affected by the first wave of floods till now.

Rail communications which were disrupted on Lumding-Badarpur Hills section of N F Railway have also shown some movement since Monday. Over all the situation is now in control, the sources said.

Meanwhile, road communications on Silchar-Guwahati route, which was badly disrupted due to floods and landslides for the past eight days, have been restored.

Heat wave conditions prevailed at isolated places of east Uttar Pradesh. In the regions where the southwest monsoon is yet to set in, day temperatures were appreciably above normal in Gujarat, Chattisgarh and in some parts of Rajasthan.

In Bengal, Kolkata experienced rains in the afternoon. The Met office has said the weather is expected to remain pleasant for the next 48 hours as there is a possibility of the weak monsoon current over Kolkata getting stronger.

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