Widespread rains lash HP

Shimla, Aug 2 (UNI) Heavy to moderate rains lashed all the mid and lower hills of Himachal Pradesh today after several days of dry weather spell, the met office said.

The intermittent rains, which started late last night, continued throughout the day in various parts of the state today with Dhundi recording 64.6 mm of rain followed by 54 mm at Solang Nullah, 31.2 at Nahan in Sirmaur.

The met office said Gharwin in Bilaspur district received 25 mm rain, while the tourist resort of Kasuali recorded 13.2 mm overnight rains.

Berthin experienced 16.9 mm rain, Bhang Manali 9.8 mm, Dharamshala 9.6 mm, Palampur 7.4, Jogindernagar 6.5 mm and Nalagarh 7.2 mm rain upto 0830 hrs.

Rains lashed Shimla town and other adjoining areas during the afternoon, breaking a dry weather spell, which has adversely affected the apple crop in the region, and recorded 4.6 mm rain up till 1730 hrs.

The tribal districts of Kinnuar, Lahaul Spiti and Chamba also experienced intermittent rains during the last 24 hrs, official sources said met officials said.

They said overcast conditions were prevailing in these districts during the second half of the day after receiving rains overnight and early morning today.

The minimum temperatures across Himachal rose by one to two degrees in comparison to yesterday with the night temperature at Shimla town rising to 17 degrees from yesterday's low of 16.3 degree Celsius.

Bhuntar's night temperature rose to 21.5 degrees in comparison to yesterday's 20.3 degrees, while it rose to 12.9 from yesterday's 12.2 at Kalpa in Kinnaur district, the met office said.

The night temperature at Dharamshala rose by a few notches to 21.9 degrees from yesterday's minimum of 21.7 degrees, while remaining stationary at 18.5 degrees at Palampur.

The met office has predicted rain or thundershowers at many places in the state during the next 24 hrs.

UNI