Shimla: Himachal Pradesh is expected to witness continued monsoon activity over the coming days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting light to moderate rainfall across most parts of the state for the next six days. A Yellow Alert has been issued for Una, Bilaspur and Kangra districts on Monday, warning of heavy showers at isolated places.
According to the weather department, rain is likely to persist across the state throughout the week. Similar alerts have also been issued for Kangra and Mandi on August 5 as monsoon conditions remain active.
Monsoon Rainfall Still Below Normal
Despite regular spells of rain in recent weeks, Himachal has recorded an overall 8 per cent rainfall deficit since the onset of the southwest monsoon. Several districts continue to receive less precipitation than their seasonal average.
The largest shortfalls have been reported in Lahaul-Spiti (50%), Hamirpur (42%), Mandi (27%), Kangra (20%), Sirmaur (10%), Solan (7%), and Bilaspur (6%), indicating uneven rainfall distribution across the state.
Several Districts Record Excess Rain
While some regions remain rain-deficient, others have received above-normal rainfall this season. Kinnaur has recorded around 28 per cent excess rainfall, followed by Kullu and Shimla with 23 per cent each. Chamba has reported 17 per cent above-normal rainfall, while Una has registered a marginal surplus.
Temperatures Dip After Rainfall
Recent showers have also brought noticeable relief from the heat in many parts of the state. Maximum temperatures dropped significantly over the past 24 hours, with several locations recording declines of up to four degrees Celsius.
The sharpest fall was observed in Neri (Hamirpur), where the maximum temperature decreased by 5.4°C. Una recorded a drop of 4.2°C, bringing the maximum temperature down to 30.8°C, while Bilaspur and Manali also experienced noticeable declines after widespread rainfall.
Advisory for Residents
The Meteorological Department has advised residents and tourists to remain cautious, particularly in districts under the Yellow Alert. People have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain and to stay away from rivers, streams and landslide-prone areas. Authorities are closely monitoring the weather situation and have appealed to the public to follow official advisories as monsoon activity continues across the state.
