At 31% below normal rainfall, Himachal sees weak monsoon

Kullu: Himachal Pradesh has so far this year witnessed quite a weak monsoon with most of the places in the state recording a deficient rainfall in July.
According to the Shimla centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), during the July 1-17 period, the state has received 88.7 mm rains — which is 31% less than the normal rainfall of 129 mm.
Eleven of the 12 districts in the state have recorded less than the normal rainfall in the first fortnight of July as most of the weather department rain forecasts remained off target.
As per the Met Centre, Lahaul Spiti district has recorded lowest rainfall of 7.3 mm, which is 89% less than normal, followed by Una with 56.6 mm rainfall, 66% lower than the normal of 168.3 mm, Sirmaur 84.7 mm, 63% less than the normal of 230.5 mm and Solan 88.6 mm, 45% less than the normal of 162.1 mm.
Other districts including Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur, Shimla, Bilaspur and Hamirpur have also recorded deficient rainfall so far.
Kangra district has recorded the highest rainfall of 275.5 mm but it’s still 5% less than the normal rains of 291.4 mm. Only Mandi district has recorded above normal rainfall.
As per the Met Centre, Mandi district has received mm rains, which is 7% higher than the normal rainfall of 191.4 mm.
Even last month in June, the state recorded a deficient rainfall of 46.2 mm, which was 54% less than the normal of 101.1 mm.
The state had also witnessed unprecedented heat in June with many districts especially in the lower hills recording an average maximum temperature of above 40 degrees Celsius throughout the month.
Meanwhile, the weather department has again issued a forecast predicting widespread rains in the state on July 18 and 19 and then again on July 21 and 22.
Tabo in Lahaul Spiti was the coldest place in Himachal on Wednesday with the lowest minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius.