Widespread rain lashes region

Chandigarh, Aug 24 (UNI) Widespread rains lashed many areas in north-west India during the past 24 hours, providing respite to people from hot and humid weather conditions.

South-west monsoon has been active in east Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh but subdued over western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and east Rajasthan, according to the Weather Office here.

It warned of heavy rain at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh, north and north-eastern parts of Punjab and north-eastern parts of Haryana during the next 48 hours.

Moderate to heavy rains pounded several areas in Haryana with Rohtak recording 40.2 mm, followed by Kalka measuring 35 mm and Hisar 0.6 mm till this morning.

Certain areas in Punjab also experienced rain overnight. Ludhiana recorded 9.2 mm and Amritsar 1.0 mm. Rains lashed Patiala during the day and the town measured 2 mm downpour.

Many areas in Himachal Pradesh, including Sundernagar, Bhuntar, Kassol, Guler, Bharthin, Gamroor, Nagrota Surian and Bhang-Manali also experienced moderate rainfall. Sujanpur Tira recorded 31.2 mm rain, Solan Nullah 26.0, Dhundi 19.0 and Naudan 14.0 mm rainfall.

The rains caused fresh landslides in interior areas of Kullu and Mandi districts. All rivers and rivulets in the state were in spate.

Tourist resorts of Wildflower Hall, Kufri, Naldehra and Narkanda in Shimla district and the key tourist place of Manali in Kullu district also had rainfall last night. The capital town of Shimla recorded 3.6 mm rain till this morning.

Moderate rains lashed Jammu region and the national capital of Delhi overnight. Jammu measured 24.8 mm while Safdarjung and Palam, both in Delhi, recorded 19.0 mm and 6.5 mm rainfall till 0830 hours.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas also had intermittent rain since last night with monsoon clouds hovering over the city during the day.

The Met Office predicted moderate to rather heavy rain or thundershowers at many places in Himachal Pradesh and few places in Haryana and Punjab during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ YA ND1732