Himachal may get southwest monsoon this week

Shimla, June 26 (IANS) The southwest monsoon is set to hit Himachal Pradesh as the MeT Office here has forecast widespread heavy rainfall for three days from Tuesday.

"Moderate to heavy rainfall is likely to occur at most places from June 27 to 29. There are chances that monsoon will arrive with the onset of heavy rains," an official of the local Meteorological Office told IANS.

The monsoon normally hits the state by June 27, officials said. It arrived last year on June 21, almost a week in advance.

Meanwhile, Dharamsala, Palampur, Mandi, Shimla and Nahan towns experienced 78 mm, 25 mm, 78 mm, 3 mm and 49 mm rain, respectively, till Monday morning.

Jogindernagar town in Mandi district saw 85 mm rain, the highest in the state.

Shimla recorded a high of 23.5 degrees Celsius, whereas the minimum was 16.7 degrees.

Prediction of normal monsoon augurs well for Himachal Pradesh as the agriculture sector provides direct employment to 69 per cent of the state's workforce.