No rain in HP in Jan, first time since 69, raises drought fear

New Delhi, Jan 29 (UNI) For the first time in the last 38 years Himachal Pradesh neither received rain nor snow in January, raising an alarm bell of a severe drought ahead this year.

With the mercury showing an unexpected rise, several parts of the country, including the north-west, today experienced a warm and sunny day.

''Since 1969, this is the first time in 38 years when the state has not recorded any rain and snow in January,'' Meteorological Department Director Manmohan Singh told UNI.

According to the data available since 1969, Himachal in 1986 and 1998 had received 3.4 and 8.6 mm rains respectively in January, but this was the first time when it had not received any rain and snow in January, he added.

The persistent dry period has raised fears of a severe drought this year with 98 per cent deficient rains being recorded up till now.

The minimum and maximum temperature in the state continue to remain three to five degrees above normal due to the continuing dry weather spell with the night temperature in the higher altitude areas of the tribal districts being recorded between minus eight to minus 15 degrees from a high of minus 15 to minus 25 degree Celsius.

The mercury appreciably rose in many areas in the north-west India, staying two degrees Celsius to eight degrees above normal in the region.

The minimum temperature hovered above normal by two degrees in Punjab and three degrees to eight degrees in Haryana.

Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala recorded the night temperature two degrees above normal, respectively showing 7.3 degrees, 8.8 degrees 10.2 degrees celsius.

In Haryana, Ambala registered the minimum at 10.1 degrees, three degrees above normal, followed by Narnaul recording 11.0 degrees and Karnal showing 11.1 degrees, four degrees above normal.

Hissar recorded 13.8 degrees which was eight degrees above normal.

The mercury also rose in Himachal Pradesh with Bhuntar in Kullu district registering 2.4 degrees and Sundernagar in Mandi district 5.3 degrees. The mercury stayed five degrees above normal at Shimla which was unusually warmer, recording 7.2 degrees.

However, tribal areas in the state continued to be under the impact of severe cold wave.

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