Shimla July 3 (IANS) 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 even 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.

--IANS vg/tsb/vm