Marathwada sowing starts, floods recede in Asom, rains in Delhi

New Delhi, June 27 (UNI) Sowing started in full swing in Marathwada, the flood situation improved in Asom and moderate rain lashed many parts of North West India as heavy pre-monsoon showers brought relief to Delhiites.

While sowing began in full swing in central Maharashtra's Marathwada region, official sources confirmed at least 74 deaths due to lightning since beginning of the monsoon this year.

Moderate rain in many parts of North west India during the past 24 hours brought a considerable fall in the temperature in the region.

In Punjab, the temperature fell ten degrees below normal at Amritsar following downpour. The city recorded the temperature at 29.4 degrees Celsius. The temperature also fell in Chandigarh and its adjoining areas with the city recording 32.6 degrees, five degrees below normal.

Several areas in Himachal Pradesh, including Bhuntar, Una, Guler and Dharamsala also experienced rain. The high altitude areas of Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh experienced a fresh spell of moderate to heavy snowfall last night.

Pre-monsoon showers in the national capital this morning provided the much awaited relief to the people from sweltering heat and humidity.

The downpour, brought down the temperature appreciably by about six degrees Celsius from yesterday's 36.6 degress Celsius.

About 52.4 mm rain was recorded this morning and more rainfall has been predicted for the day.

''At some places in North Delhi, it rained about 79.7 mm,'' said an IMD source adding that these were pre-monsoon showers and the monsoon was expected at its scheduled date on June 29.

In Kolkata, rain gods welcomed the Rath Yatra as various parts of the city experienced a smart shower.

Weatherman predicted few spells of rain in the next 24 hours The maximum temperature was recorded at 34.7 degrees Celsius, while minimum was 27.4 degrees Celsius.

In Asom, the overall flood situation improved but the state faced a new threat as erosion continues in several places.

While the Brahmaputra flowed slightly above the danger level at Dibrugarh, the river and its major tributaries showed receding trend at other places.

However, with the receding of water levels, severe erosion has been reported in Mankachar, south Salmara area of Lower Asom's Dhubri district and Chapori in Jorhat District.

Meanwhile, Asom Revenue Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman said at a meeting yesterday the state government was focussing on pro-active prevention, preparedness and mitigation rather than 're-active' relief and rehabilitation approach.

South Western monsoon further advanced into some more parts of north Arabian sea and Saurashtra and Kutch and in some parts of east Uttar Pradesh.

Heavy rains occurred at most places in east Uttar Pradesh, Konkan and Goa, coastal Karnataka and Andaman and Nicobar islands and at many places in Bihar and at few places in madhya Maharashtra.

Also, rains were witnessed at isolated places in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Gangetic West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh.

Even as monsoon showed good signs in many parts of the country, Rajasthan remained somewhat dry as rains elluded the state capital.

The maximum temperature recorded here was 34.5 degrees Celsius while the minimum hovered around 25 degrees Celcius.

Scattered rains were reported from places like Ajmer, Jaipur.

UNI TEAM KD RP KN1950