Monsoon hits Himachal Pradesh

Shimla, June 24 The southwest monsoon reached Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday with many areas receiving light to moderate rain, the weather bureau, here, said.

"The southwest monsoon has reached all parts of Himachal Pradesh. Last year, it had reached some parts of the state on July 2, and the remaining parts on July 5," Manmohan Singh, Director of the meteorological office, told .

The monsoon normally hits the state by June 27.

Palampur in the Kangra district received 110 mm rain, the highest in the state. Jogindernagar and Baijnath recorded 96 mm and 93 mm rain, respectively.

Between June 1 and June 24, the state received 52.9 mm rain, which was 25 per cent below the normal.

Agriculture, the main occupation of the people in Himachal Pradesh, provides direct employment to 69 per cent people.

( With inputs from IANS )