Shimla, February 28 The maximum and minimum temperatures remained significantly above normal across Himachal Pradesh as the weather remained dry. Una was the hottest, with a high of 30.8 degrees, while Tabo was the coldest, with a low of minus 2.7 degrees Celsius.
The winter season (January 1 to February 28) ended with a 45 per cent rainfall deficit, as the state received an average of 102.2 mm of rainfall compared to the normal rainfall of 187.1 mm, the Shimla Met office said on Saturday.
The rainfall deficit was 86 per cent in February, as the state received 14.7 mm of rainfall against the normal rainfall of 101.8 mm. In February, all twelve districts experienced rainfall deficits ranging from 73 per cent (Kullu) to 96 per cent (Solan).
The rainfall deficit in Una and Sirmaur was 94 per cent, followed by Bilaspur at 93 per cent, Kangra at 90 per cent, Chamba at 89 per cent, Lahaul and Spiti at 88 per cent, Hamirpur at 86 per cent, Kinnaur at 83 per cent, and Shimla at 82 per cent.
The local meteorological station has predicted dry weather across the state until March 6, with no significant changes in minimum and maximum temperatures over the next four to five days.
Farmers are concerned as the unevenly distributed rainfall deficits are harmful to winter crops, while heavy rains and storms during the pre-monsoon season (March to June) are disastrous for crops that are at the harvest stage.
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MNK
MNK
