Shimla: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, warning residents of Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts of severe weather conditions over the next 48 hours.
The forecast places Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi under red alert for August 25, while on August 26, the alert will continue in Chamba and Kangra. Mandi will move to orange alert along with Kullu. Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Kullu remain under orange alert on August 25, while Solan and Shimla are under yellow alert.
Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Senior Scientist at IMD Himachal Pradesh, said the monsoon has been particularly active over the past 24 hours in Una, Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra, and Solan. Bilaspur recorded the heaviest rainfall, with 190 mm in Kongo and 160 mm in Jot, Chamba. Heavy showers were also recorded in Nadaun and Sundernagar.
Rainfall is expected to continue across the state until August 31, with the most intense spells forecast between August 25 and 27. “Some districts may experience extremely heavy rainfall during this period,” Sharma cautioned.
He confirmed that flash flood advisories are being regularly issued to the state government. Himachal Pradesh has so far recorded 22 percent above normal rainfall between June 1 and August 25. Shimla has seen the highest excess at 80 percent above normal, followed by Una (62 percent), Kullu (60 percent), and Mandi (60 percent). Lahaul-Spiti remains the only district with below-normal rainfall this season.
In August alone, rainfall has been 45 percent above normal. Solan, Kullu, and Una have received nearly double their average rainfall, while Shimla stands at 97 percent above normal. Lahaul-Spiti remains below the seasonal average.
The IMD warned that major rivers and streams are flowing above normal levels. Residents have been urged to stay away from water bodies and to exercise caution on roads, especially in Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, and Kangra, where poor visibility is expected.
While the intensity of rainfall is likely to ease after August 27, scattered showers will continue. IMD attributes the heightened activity to the combined effect of an active monsoon and an upper-level western disturbance.
