Monsoon in Himachal at 29 percent deficit in July

The monsoon in Himachal Pradesh was at a deficit of 29 percent in July with the hill state receiving moderate rainfall while the state got 143 percent excess rains in June, the highest in 10 years, Met officials said Saturday.

"Overall the state recorded 462 mm rain against the normal 410 mm from June 1 to July 31, which is 13 percent excess," India Meteorological Department (IMD) director Manmohan Singh told IANS.

He said in July, the state got 222 mm of rain against the average of 311 mm, which was 29 percent deficit.

"Probably the less rainfall in the state, especially over the northern part, is because of monsoon trough line not shifted northern side from its normal position," he said.

The normal position of monsoon trough line generally passes from Ganganagar to Kolkata via Agra and Allahabad.

According to him, seven of the 12 districts -- Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla, Bilaspur, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba -- got shortfall of rainfall in July with Lahaul-Spiti, where much of the land falls under a cold desert, recording the highest amount of deficiency - 95 percent.

The monsoon reached the state June 15, almost 10 days in advance.

Himachal Pradesh's agriculture and horticulture-based economy is highly dependent on the monsoon.