Himachal Pradesh: Massive rockslide blocks NH-5

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh on Monday continued to experience moderate to heavy rainfall, causing landslides and blockages on highways in some areas, while the weather remained dry in rest of the state. Incessant rains have caused massive rockslides blocking the National Highway-5 that connects the state with Punjab. The NH-05 was blocked near Chaura village of Kinnaur district, since last night The MeT department has predicted rains and thundershowers at many places over next six days. The rain deficit from June 1 to August 28 has been reduces to 17 per cent and eight of twelve districts have normal or excess rains. Shimla, a favourite retreat for tourists during summer, recorded a low of 16.4 degrees Celsius, while it was 15 degrees in another picturesque resort Manali and 16.2 degrees Celsius in Dharamsala. "There are chances of rain at a few places in the state till September 1," official said. The weather bureau said the overall monsoon was below average in most parts of the state. It said the cumulative rainfall from June 1 till date was 566.1 mm against the normal precipitation of 683.9 mm. Lahaul-Spiti district, known for producing the country's high variety, disease-free, pest-resistant Kufri Chandramukhi and Kufri Jyoti varieties of potatoes, recorded 78 per cent less than its normal rainfall, the highest in the state. The deficiency was 53 per cent in Kinnaur district, 48 per cent in Chamba district, 29 per cent in Sirmaur district, and four per cent in Kangra district.