Shimla, June 30 (IANS) The southwest monsoon on Tuesday reached the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, said the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Shimla office. Its normal arrival in the state is June 26, and last year it hit the state on June 20.

The monsoon covered the entire Kinnaur district, most parts of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts, many parts of Shimla and Mandi districts, and some parts of Sirmaur and Kangra districts, it said in a statement.

The Met office said conditions are favourable for further advance of the southwest monsoon over remaining parts of Himachal Pradesh in the next two to three days.

Agriculture, the main occupation of the people in Himachal Pradesh, provides direct employment to 69 per cent of the population. More than 80 per cent of horticultural and agricultural activities here are rainfed.

The weather bureau forecast said fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over many parts of low hills, adjoining mid hills and light to moderate rainfall over some parts of the high and adjoining mid hills of the state till July 4, with the peak intensity on July 2 and 3.

It said heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Kangra districts on July 2; over Una, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts on July 3; and over Kangra, Mandi, and Shimla districts on July 4.

It also predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph likely at isolated places in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur and Kullu districts till July 4.

The MeT Department said no large change in minimum and maximum temperatures is expected over the next three to four days; thereafter, they are likely to fall by 2 to 3 degrees.

–IANS

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