Himachal faces 79% rain deficit in Feb

Kullu: Himachal Pradesh recorded an average rainfall of just 14.4 mm between Feb 1 and 20, marking a 79% deficit compared to normal rainfall of 68.7 mm.Kullu recorded the highest rainfall at 27.7 mm, though this was 60% less than the normal of 69.7 mm. Solan saw the lowest rainfall with 3 mm, a drop of 94% than normal rainfall of 49.2 mm. According to the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, the state recorded 101.9 mm of rainfall between Jan 1 and Feb 20, which was 34% less than the normal of 154 mm. The weather has also got warmer in the state, with a gradual rise in both minimum and maximum temperatures. On Friday, Keylong, the district headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti, recorded the lowest minimum temperature of -3.7 degrees Celsius, 3.3 degrees above normal. Elsewhere, Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius, more than 3.2 degrees above normal; Manali 3.9 degrees Celsius, 3.1 degrees above normal; Dharamshala 9.2 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees above normal; and Palampur 8.5 degrees Celsius, 1.8 degrees above normal. Una was the warmest on Friday, with a highest maximum temperature of 29 degrees Celsius, followed by Neri with 27.9 degrees Celsius, Berthin 26.3 degrees Celsius, Mandi 26.8 degrees Celsius, Kangra 26.6 degrees Celsius, Sundernagar 26.4 degrees Celsius, Bhuntar 25.4 degrees Celsius, Nahan 24.8 degrees Celsius, and Solan 24 degrees Celsius. The weather department predicted clear skies until Feb 28. Box Kullu forest fire put off A forest fire raging on a mountain near Bhuntar in Kullu since Thursday evening was extinguished by the forest department staff with help from locals on Friday. According to officials, the fire spread to the nearby forest after some people torched pastureland. Kullu has seen a total of 21 fire incidents this month, which has affected 635 hectares of land and resulting in a loss of around Rs 4.5 lakh. Landslide blocks Kaza road A landslide near Kharo Bridge in Kinnaur district blocked National Highway 5, disrupting connectivity to Pooh, Kaza, and Spiti and causing a traffic jam for around two-and-a-half hours on Friday. A team of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) cleared the debris. The highway was reopened for light vehicles by 6.30 pm. MSID:: 128610242 413 |