Shimla records highest precipitation in 13 years
Shimla, July 3 : Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla on Tuesday recorded the highest precipitation of 118 mm within 24 hours since 2005, a MeT official said here.
"The state capital had recorded 118 mm precipitation over the past 24 hours till 8.30 a.m. It is the highest ever rainfall recorded within 24 hours in Shimla. The previous best was 108.4 mm on April 15, 2005," Meteorological Department Director Manmohan Singh told IANS here.
He attributed the heavy precipitation to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds and moisture flow from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
"During the last 24 hours, southwest monsoon was active in the state. Heavy rain occurred at isolated places in Shimla, Bilaspur, Solan, Sirmaur, and Una districts," he said.
Bilaspur and Mandi received 65 mm and 45 mm rainfall respectively. Singh said that light to moderate rainfall will continue in Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur districts till Thursday.
A majority of localities in the state capital had faced a severe water crisis in the summer months, receiving water supply only once a week.
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13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
