Northern states brace for rain as monsoon set to intensify over weekend

As monsoon continues to advance, rains are expected to intensify across the country’s northern States including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh over the weekend

As monsoon continues to advance, rains are expected to intensify across the country’s northern States including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh over the weekend.

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, on Friday witnessed a spell of heavy rainfall while other parts of the State also experienced moderate rain. The southwest monsoon reached Himachal Pradesh on June 27. Himachal Pradesh saw extensive damage to life and property last year when torrential rains brought the hill State to its knees.

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Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday said the State government was fully prepared to deal with any potential disaster related challenges during the monsoon. He advised the people to remain cautious, and to not venture near rivers and rivulets during the season.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) at Shimla, the rain activity is likely to intensify from June 28 with fairly widespread to widespread precipitation in the State. Light to moderate intensity rain is expected at many places in low and mid-hill districts of the State between June 28 and July 1, it said.

“Isolated spells of heavy rainfall very likely to occur in the districts of Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur from June 28 to June 30, with peak intensity on June 29 and 30,” said the IMD in a statement. “The aforesaid spell is likely to be accompanied with thunderstorm-lightning and gusty winds between 30-40 kilometres per hour at isolated places,” it added.

The Chief Minister said the government has taken effective steps at various levels and all departments have been instructed to remain vigilant and responsive to any potential emergency.