Monsoon turns weak in Punjab, Haryana

Chandigarh, July 18 (UNI) A dry spell continued in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh as monsoon turned weak in the area even as rain lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh today.

Hot and humid weather conditions persisted at most places in the plains following erratic monsoon in the region.

Even as lull in rainfall activity in Punjab and Haryana continued, certain areas in Himachal Pradesh, including Kullu and Sirmour districts, received moderate downpour overnight. Pandoh recorded 34.5 mm rain till 0830 hrs, followed by Kasol (17mm) and Nahan (11mm).

Mid hills in and the tourist site of Manali in Kullu district also experienced rains. Bhang and Solang Nullah in the district recorded 4.8 mm and 0.2 mm rainfall respectively while Bhuntar reported 0.3 mm.

Humid weather conditions prevailed in Chandigarh which also went without rains. The city recorded the maximum humidity at 79 per cent and the minimum at 49 per cent.

The Western disturbance lay over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir as an upper air cyclonic circulation, extending upto 5.8 km above sea level. The upper air cyclonic circulation over south-west Uttar Pradesh and neighbourhood now lay over east Rajasthan and neighbourhood, extending upto 1.5 km above sea level.

Another upper air cyclonic circulation lay over central Pakistan and adjoining north-west rajasthan and south-west Punjab extending upto 2.5 km above sea level.

The Weather Office said that moderate to rather heavy rain or thundershowers may occur at many places in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and at few places in Punjab during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ VJ DB1834