Chandigarh: Best monsoon in 8 years

CHANDIGARH: Monsoon was more than a handful on its last legs on Monday, unleashing continuous rainfall in the city to help it achieve the season’s highest in eight years— 932.4mm.

The highest-ever was recorded in 1988 at 1,748mm. In 2010, the city had recorded 1,165.5mm rainfall during the season. The normal rainfall for the monsoon season in the city is 839mm. On Monday, the city received 43.4mm rainfall, as recorded at the Sector 39 observatory.

September has also received one of the highest rainfall in almost a decade. From September 1 till 24, the city received 253.1mm rain against the normal of 154mm generally recorded in the month. Surender Paul, director, Chandigarh meteorological department, said, “This year the city has received very good and above normal rainfall. This has improved the figures for both monthly and seasonal rain.” He said not much rainfall is expected from Tuesday onwards.

Another official from the meteorological department said, “The rainfall was expected mainly from Saturday till Monday and advisories were issued in advance. From Tuesday onwards, the weather is expected to remain dry. There is no need for closing schools in the Tricity on Tuesday.”

Private schools expressed disappointment over Mohali deputy commissioner announcing the closure of schools on Tuesday. Independent Schools Association president H S Mamik said as per the weathermen, rainfall is expected to reduce from Tuesday and no holiday was required. He said the examinations are going on and the closure order will disrupt the schedule. In government schools, students had the last exam on Monday. Students not only reached late following traffic chaos but also had to give the exam in wet clothes. The continuous rainfall led to a drop in temperatures. On Monday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 25.7 degrees Celsius, 10 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature was 20 degrees Celsius,1 degree below normal.