Shimla: After a relatively subdued spell, the southwest monsoon has once again become active over Himachal Pradesh, bringing rain to several parts of the state. Kangra recorded heavy showers during the night, while intermittent rainfall and overcast conditions were reported from various areas, including Shimla, on Monday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur for today. The weather agency has also forecast rain at several places across Himachal Pradesh during the next five days, with isolated areas likely to receive intense showers.
Several areas witnessed rain on Sunday evening as well. Parts of Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur received heavy showers, while a tree came crashing down on two cars in Shimla’s Khalini locality. No further details regarding casualties were reported in the information available.
State Records 51% Rainfall Shortfall in a Week
Despite the latest improvement in monsoon activity, Himachal has witnessed a significant rainfall shortage in the past week. From August 23 to August 30, the state received 51% less rain than normal.
The deficit was particularly severe in some of the hill districts. Kullu recorded a 98% shortfall, while Lahaul-Spiti registered a deficit of 99% during the period.
District-wise rainfall data showed a 96% deficit in Kinnaur, 78% in Chamba, 74% in Hamirpur and 63% in Shimla. Mandi recorded a 39% shortfall, followed by Solan at 40%, Kangra at 20% and Una at 24%.
Bilaspur’s rainfall was only 3% below normal. Sirmaur was the exception, receiving 3% more rainfall than its normal figure during the week.
Monsoon Season Still 11% Below Normal
The overall rainfall situation for the monsoon season also remains below the usual mark. Between June 1 and August 30, Himachal Pradesh received 542.2 mm of rainfall, against the normal 608.7 mm for the period. This represents an overall 11% deficit.
The shortage has also had an impact on temperatures. Several parts of the state have continued to experience temperatures around three to four degrees above normal.
Keylong witnessed one of the most notable departures, with the maximum temperature reaching 27.4°C, which was 8.4 degrees above the normal level for the location.
Temperatures May Ease Over Next Few Days
With rain expected at several places during the coming days, temperatures are likely to see some relief. A modest decline in the mercury is expected across parts of Himachal Pradesh over the next four to five days.
However, with the IMD warning of heavy rain in three districts, residents in vulnerable areas are likely to remain cautious, particularly in places prone to landslides, falling trees and water accumulation.
