Monsoon 50% deficient in Himachal

Farmers in Himachal Pradesh are a worried lot with the monsoon playing truant. Till last week, the hill state had a 51 per cent deficient rainfall this season.

All the twelve districts of the state are deficient from June 1 to July 20.

The worst affected districts are Lahaul & Spiti 84 per cent deficient followed by Chamba with 78 per cent , Kinnaur with 69 per cent and Una with 65 per cent, the weather office here said.

So far,Solan and Kullu districts have had better rainfall but even these two districts are 32 per cent deficient.

After a week long dry spell there was some sign of the revival of the monsoon as many parts were lashed by rain on Friday, last week.

The weatherman has forecast rain till July 24 .

Sowing of crops has been delayed and standing crops have been hit by the dry spell at many places in the lower hills most of which depend on rains in the near absence of irrigation.

In the mid hills the apple crop has been affected at many places as orchards are in the desperate need of moisture. Apple harvest in the lower hills starts in July.