Monsoon remains vigorous in HP

Chandigarh, Jun 18 (UNI) Monsoon remained vigorous in Himachal Pradesh, causing moderate to heavy rain in the hilly state and isolated areas of Punjab and Haryana during the past 24 hours.

The maximum temperature recorded four degrees to seven degrees Celsius below normal at most places in the region following rain.

Moderate to heavy rain lashed many areas in Himachal Pradesh, including mid and lower hills, since last night. Some areas in Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur and Shimla districts of the state reported heavy rainfall. The day and night temperatures across the state fell by a few notches.

The capital town of Himachal Pradesh recorded 91.3 mm downpour overnight. The sky over Shimla and other adjoining areas remained under a thick layer of clouds and experienced intermittent rains throughout the day.

Rains lashed isolated areas in Punjab overnight with Shahpur Kandi and Ranjit Sagar Dam site recording nine cm downpour while Mukhtar measured 2 cm rainfall. In Haryana, Gurgaon, Palwal, Hassanpur, Ratia and Kalka areas also reported moderate rainfall.

However, rains eluded Chandigarh even as the city remained enveloped in monsoon clouds. The city recorded the maximum temperature at 34.6 degrees Celsius which was four degrees below normal.

The Met Office predicted moderate to rather heavy rain at most places in Himachal Pradesh and many places in Haryana and Punjab during the next 24 hours. It warned of heavy rain at isolated places in the region during the next 48 hours.

UNI VKJ SW KP2004