Monsoon remains vigorous in Punjab, active in HP

Chandigarh, Aug 5 (UNI) Widespread rain lashed many areas in the north-west region as monsoon remained vigorous in Punjab and active in Himachal Pradesh during the past 24 hours.

Moderate to heavy rain pounded several areas in Punjab with Shahpur Kandi recording 69.2 mm rainfall till this morning.

Madhopur, near Pathankot, measured 68.0 mm, Ranjit Sagar Dam site 41.0 mm and Nangal Dam 29.4 mm.

The holy city of Amritsar was also lashed by rainfall, recording 7.4 mm while Ludhiana registered 2.1 mm till 0830 hrs.

Parts of Haryana also experienced rainfall. Panchkula recorded 6.0 mm and Karnal 0.4 mm while Ambala had trace of rainfall till this morning.

Moderate rain lashed many areas in Himachal Pradesh, triggering fresh landslides and disrupting movement of vehicular traffic on link roads. All rivers, including the Sutlej, Beas and the Ravi, and their tributaries were in spate. People living close to Ravi river bed have been advised to move to safer places.

Traffic on the Chamba-Bharmour and the Chamba-Tissa-Pangi roads has been disrupted due to landslides at several places in Chamba district. Several link roads in the district hava also been closed due to landslides at many places.

Una, Sundernagar, Bhuntar, Sujanpur Tira, Suni, Kasol, Kahu, Guler, Gamroor, and Bharthin areas in Himachal Pradesh also experienced rainfall. Nagrota Surian recorded 26.8 mm, Nahan 19.8 mm, Rampur 18.6 mm, Guler 11.3 mm and Pandoh 9.5 mm till this morning.

Rains lashed Shimla and its adjoining areas last night. The capital town recorded 7.3 mm rainfall till this morning.

Moderate rain lashed Chandigarh last night and early this morning, providing relief from hot and humid weather conditions. The city measured 49.2 mm rain till this morning.

Moderate to heavy rain pounded several areas in Jammu and Kashmir with summer capital Srinagar recording 38 mm rainfall while Jammu, the state's winter capital, reported 71.6 rainfall till this morning.

Rain-related incidents in the region have claimed the lives of 15 people during the current monsoon season so far. Nine people have died in Himachal Pradesh, four in Haryana and two in Punjab.

Moderate to rather heavy rain or thundershowers will occur at most places in Himachal Pradesh, many places in Punjab and few places in Haryana during the next 24 hours. Heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ VA RN1816