MONSOON BOUNTY Sandeep Rana Chandigarh, July 16 In a record of sorts, the city has witnessed the highest rainfall in the first half of July in the past nine years. According to the Chandigarh Meteorological Department, from July 1 to July 15, the city recorded 246.9 mm of rainfall. Before this, it was way back in 2010 that the city had witnessed more rain, 299.1 mm, during this period. Met Director Surender Paul said, “In Punjab and Haryana, including Chandigarh, the monsoon has been weak for the past many years. There has been a general pattern of alternate low and high rainfall. But this time, the monsoon has been quite active and several Met factors are responsible for this. The rain is not intense, but the duration is long. It is light to moderate.” The high rainfall is quite beneficial in many aspects. “It is overall beneficial. Less electricity will be used and there will be more drinking water availability. It is also good for vegetation, horticulture, agriculture and biodiversity. Besides, there will be less weather-related diseases,” said the Director. In the next 24 to 36 hours, the monsoon will remain active. After that, the intensity of the rain will reduce and it will rain on and off. In the coming days, the humidity and heat will increase marginally. In the end of July, the monsoon will again get active. The city today recorded a maximum temperature of 28.3°C, five degree below normal. Till 8.30 am, 19.8 mm of rainfall was recorded in the city. While from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, 2.3-mm rainfall was witnessed.

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