Monsoon remains active in Punjab

Chandigarh, Aug 14 (UNI) Widespread rains lashed many areas in north-west India overnight as monsoon remained active in Punjab, providing respite to people from scorching heat.

Life was returning to normal in Himachal Pradesh where heavy rains claimed the lives of 29 people and left a trail of destruction in the past four days. A bright sunshine greeted the people today even as many areas were lashed by rain overnight.

Major parts of Mandi town in Himachal Pradesh were reeling under water famine in the wake of breakdown of Maigal-Mandi gravity pipeline following incessant rains over the past three days.

Another pipeline lifting water to Tarna Hill tanks had also been disrupted due to heavy landslide near PWD rest house further worsening the water supply to the town, a report from Mandi said.

Moderate to heavy rain pounded several areas in Punjab with Ludhiana turning the wettest place in the state, recording 35.4 mm rainfall till this morning. Balachour measured 27.4 mm, Patiala 24.0 mm, Shahpur Kandi 17.4 mm, Madovpur 10.0 mm, ranjit Sagar Dam site 4.0 mm and Nangal Dam site 3.0 mm rain. The holy city of Amritsar was also lashed by rain.

Several areas in Haryana also experienced moderate to heavy rain overnight. Kalka with 60.0 mm rain was the wettest place in the state while Ambala registered 15.6 mm rainfall. Other areas, including Panchkula, also had downpour.

Rains also lashed many areas in Himachal Pradesh last night with some places in districts of Mandi, Kangra and Kullu receiving moderate to heavy falls. All rivers, including the Beas and the Sutlej, and rivulets in the state were in spate.

Sundernagar with 46.9 mm rain was the wettest place, followed by Sujanpur Tira registering 30.2 mm, Gamroor 22.8 mm, Solang Nala 21.0 mm, Kahu 19.5 mm, Una 19.4 mm and Pandoh 17.0 mm rain. Bhuntar, Rampur, Suni, Kasol, Guler, Bhang-Manali and Bharthin areas also experienced rainfall.

Moderate rain lashed Shimla and tourist resorts of Wildflower Hall, Kufri, Naldehra and Narkanda last night. The capital town recorded 8.2 mm rainfall till this morning.

The Met office has predicted moderate to rather heavy rains or thundershowers in many areas of Himachal Pradesh and light to moderate rains or thundershowrs at few places in Haryana and Punjab during the next 24 hours. It warned of heavy rain at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh during the next 48 hours.

UNI