Himachal may get good monsoon this year

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh, which saw deficit rainfall in the past two southwest monsoons, will see good rainfall this monsoon that is likely to hit this month, an official said here on Monday.

Good rainfall is expected in the state this year which might start by the end of June and the pre-monsoon showers may come about 10 days earlier, said state Additional Chief Secretary Tarun Shridhar.

Quoting the India Meteorological Department`s station here, he said timely preparedness for the monsoon is being ensured and alerts have been issued to the authorities concerned.

He stressed upon chalking out effective response strategy and contingency plans.

Shridhar also directed the authorities to ensure alternate arrangements for shifting people living near rivers and rivulets to safer places as incidents of floods and cloudbursts may occur during rainy season.

The hill state recorded a deficit rainfall of 27 per cent last year. In 2014, the monsoon rain deficiency in the state was 38 per cent, making it the driest monsoon in the decade.

The monsoon normally hit the state in the last week of June.

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people in the state, providing direct employment to 69 per cent of its workforce.