Monsoon withdraws from Himachal, 26% deficit

The southwest monsoon has withdrawn from Himachal Pradesh but remained 26 per cent deficient -- the sixth consecutive year when the state suffered deficit, the weather bureau said here on Wednesday.

"The overall monsoon was below average in most parts of the state. The cumulative rainfall from June 1 to September 30 is 623.9 mm, which is 26 per cent less than the normal rainfall," Meteorological Director Manmohan Singh told IANS.

He said the average rainfall during this period was 843.5 mm.

Dharamsala, the abode of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, recorded 3,075.8 mm rainfall and Shimla recorded 1,052.9 mm during the monsoon.

He said that in spite of deficit rainfall, the state received heavy rainfall in a day for 54 days at various stations.

Heaviest rainfall during the season was 217 mm recorded at Nadaun town on August 12.

According to the weather bureau, the state has experienced deficit rainfall for the six consecutive year.

In 2015, it was 27 per cent deficit, while it was 38 per cent in 2014, seven per cent in 2013, 15 per cent in 2012 and 11 per cent in 2011.

In 2010, it was 13 per cent surplus -- only once between 2004 and 2016.

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people in Himachal Pradesh, providing direct employment to 69 per cent of its workforce.

--IANS

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