Fear of drought 100ms large as HP receives deficient rainfall

Shimla, Sep 20 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh has so far recorded 20 per cent deficient rainfall during the monsoon season this year, the met office today said, triggering fears of drought condition in the state.

Nine districts out of the total 12 have received less rainfall this year and only three districts recorded normal or above normal rainfall from June one to September 20 this year, Shimla Met office Director Manmohan Sharma told UNI here.

He said Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kinnuar, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Sirmaur and Solan districts of the state received deficient rainfall, while Bilaspur, Shimla and Una districts received normal or above normal rains during the monsoon period.

The tribal district of Lahaul Spiti recorded 86 per cent less rainfall followed by 29 per cent in Solan district, 20 per cent each in Chamba, Kullu and Sirmaur districts, 16 per cent in Mandi and eight per cent in Kangra district, Mr Sharma said.

Mr Sharma said Una district recorded 40 per cent excess rains during the season, while Hamirpur and Shimla recorded 17 and 15 per cent more rains respectively during the rainy season.

Deficient rainfall during the monsoon season has triggered fears of drought in the state, which had suffered huge agricultural losses due to natural calamities early in the year.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rains lashed several mid and lower hills of the state for the second day today, plummeting temperatures in the tribal districts of the state, the met office said.

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