Monsoon may hit Himachal Tuesday

Shimla, June 30 (IANS) The southwest monsoon may hit Himachal Pradesh in a day or two but rainfall remained 45 percent deficient in the state in this month, the weather bureau said here Monday.

"The monsoon will hit the state with chances of moderate to heavy rainfall from July 1-3," the meteorological office said in a statement.

It said Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Kangra, Una, Kullu and Mandi districts might experience heavy rain at some places during this period.

The monsoon normally hits the state by June 27.

Last year the monsoon reached the state June 15 and rainfall during that season was seven percent deficient.

"The overall rainfall was 45 percent below average in the state this June," a weather department official told IANS.

He said except Solan and Una districts, all other 10 districts saw deficient rainfall.

"On an average the maximum temperature during the first fortnight of this month was three-four degrees above average. But in the last fortnight it was normal," he added.

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