Shimla: Himachal Pradesh is likely to receive another spell of monsoon rain over the next two days before conditions begin to improve, according to the India Meteorological Department. Light to moderate showers are expected in parts of the state on August 21 and 22, while the weather is likely to turn largely dry from August 23 to 27.
The IMD has issued a Yellow Alert for Kangra on August 21, warning of the possibility of heavy rainfall. Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Solan have also been placed under a heavy-rain warning. No weather alert has been issued for the remaining districts.
The state has recorded below-normal rainfall during the current monsoon season. From June 1 to August 20, Himachal received 504.2 mm of rain against the normal figure of 543.6 mm, resulting in a 7 per cent shortfall.
Kullu and Shimla above normal
The overall deficit has not been uniform across the state. Kullu has received 26 per cent more rainfall than its normal average, while Shimla is running 20 per cent above normal.
Bilaspur has recorded 0.1 per cent excess rainfall, followed by Chamba at 3 per cent, Kinnaur at 6 per cent and Sirmaur at 3 per cent.
Several other districts, however, have experienced significant shortages. Hamirpur has recorded 34 per cent less rain than normal, while Lahaul-Spiti is 53 per cent below its average. Mandi has registered a 21 per cent deficit, Solan 10 per cent, Kangra 7 per cent and Una 1 per cent.
Rs 1,108 crore damage reported
Despite the overall rainfall deficit, the monsoon has caused substantial destruction across the hill state. Government estimates put the cumulative damage to public and private property at around Rs 1,108 crore.
The Public Works Department has suffered the largest share of the losses, with damage estimated at approximately Rs 825 crore. The figures reflect the impact of landslides, floods, road damage and other weather-related incidents reported during the season.
219 deaths during monsoon
The rain-related toll has also remained high. A total of 219 people have died in incidents linked to the monsoon so far, including road accidents, landslides, flash floods and other rain-related events.
Road accidents account for the largest number of fatalities, with 131 deaths reported. Landslides have claimed 17 lives, while one person has died in a flash-flood incident.
With another 48 hours of rainfall expected, authorities and residents in vulnerable areas are likely to remain cautious, particularly in districts covered by the latest weather warnings. Conditions are expected to improve from August 23, with relatively clear weather forecast through August 27.
