Monsoon has covered India 17 days early

Monsoon arrives 17 days ahead of its normal schedule

New Delhi, June 29: The monsoon has covered the entire country, 17 days ahead of its normal onset date, the India Meteorological Department ( IMD) said on Friday. The monsoon has reached Sriganganagar, its last outpost. Its normal date to reach Sriganganagar was July 15. “The monsoon today covered the entire country,” additional director general Mritunjay Mohapatra said.

The monsoon covers the entire country by July 1 but West Rajasthan gets rains later. But this year, due to good easterly winds, it has taken the rains to the entire country early, Mr Mohapatra added.

◗ 4 ITBP personnel were crushed to death when a huge boulder, loosened by monsoon rains, rolled down a mountain and hit their vehicle

New Delhi, June 29: Rains lashed several parts of the country triggering landslides in some hill states, which killed at least four ITBP personnel in Arunachal Pradesh and affected the Amarnath pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir, as monsoon covered the entire length and breadth of India two weeks ahead of its schedule.

Evening showers in the national capital caused the humidity level to shoot up to 90 per cent even as the mercury settled at a notch below normal. The monsoon winds blew away the dust from Delhi air and the city breathed the cleanest air in nearly a year, authorities said.

The Air Quality Index value for the capital was a “satisfactory” 83 on Friday. It touched this level on Wednesday after the heavy pre- monsoon showers, according the Central Pollution Control Board data ( CPCB).

The last time Delhiites breathed such clean air was in August last year, an official with the CPCB said.

Meanwhile, the monsoon has covered the entire country, 17 days ahead of its normal schedule. It reached Sriganganagar, its last outpost in the country located in west Rajasthan. Its normal date to reach Sriganganagar is July 15.

“The monsoon today covered the entire country,” additional director general Mritunjay Mohapatra said.

Also in Lower Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, four ITBP personnel were crushed to death when a huge boulder, loosened by monsoon rains, rolled down a mountain and hit their vehicle on the Basar- Akajan road on Friday, the police said.

The incident occurred 5 km from Likabali, the district headquarters of Lower Siang, when they were on way to it from Basar in West Siang district. The boulder rolled down the mountain slope and smashed the mini bus carrying 20 ITBP personnel. This is a second landslide-related incident in the state within five days. The toll due to landslides this monsoon has risen to nine.

The Manali- Leh National Highway- 3 was blocked after heavy rainfall triggered landslide in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district on Friday. An official said efforts are underway to clear the road.