Monsoon turns feeble in north; Bhakra Dam close to its maximum capacity

Rainfall activity eased over most parts of north India on Sunday, including the national capital, even as the water level in Punjab's Bhakra Dam came agonisingly close to its maximum capacity but authorities allayed any threat of floods.

In Delhi, the day's high settled at 34.6 deg C, a notch above normal while the minimum was recorded at 26.6 deg C, up by two degrees, the MeT office said.

The city, which had a maximum humidity of 98%, received little to no rainfall for most part of the day.

The water level at Bhakra Dam, located near the border between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, touched 1,679.84 ft against its maximum storage mark of 1,680 ft but officials sought to allay fears of a flood threat in Punjab.

"About 4,000 cusecs of water will be released through the spillways of the dam. It will not cause any flooding. At the moment, there is nothing to worry about about any flood threat," Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) chairman A B Agarwal said.

Light to moderate rains lashed a few parts of the twin states of Punjab and Haryana, with maximum temperatures settling below normal levels.

Uttar Pradesh received moderate rainfall at some places while the rest of the region remained mainly dry, the local MeT Dept said.

After a brief spell of no rains, monsoon revived in Himachal Pradesh, lashing several parts of the state and throwing normal life out of gear.

In last 12 hours, capital Shimla received the highest rainfall of 48 mm followed by 30mm in Dharamsala, the MeT office said here.