Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): Himachal Pradesh is seeing a renewed spell of monsoon activity after a week of relatively limited rainfall. Heavy showers were reported in Kangra overnight, while several other parts of the state received rain on Monday. Shimla and surrounding areas also remained under cloudy and unsettled weather conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur under a yellow alert for heavy rainfall on Monday. According to the weather department, rain is likely to continue at several places across Himachal Pradesh over the next five days, with isolated pockets potentially receiving heavier showers.
Rain had also lashed parts of Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur on Sunday evening. In Shimla’s Khalini area, a large tree reportedly fell onto two parked cars following the spell of bad weather.
Himachal Faced Major Rainfall Shortage Last Week
The latest showers come after a notably dry period for the state. Between August 23 and August 30, Himachal Pradesh recorded rainfall that was 51% below the normal level.
The shortage was especially pronounced in the higher-altitude districts. Lahaul-Spiti recorded a 99% deficit, the highest among the districts, while Kullu followed closely with a 98% shortfall.
Kinnaur recorded a 96% deficit during the week. Chamba and Hamirpur registered deficits of 78% and 74%, respectively, while Shimla remained 63% below its normal rainfall.
Mandi recorded a 39% deficit and Solan 40%. Kangra and Una saw shortages of 20% and 24%, respectively. Bilaspur’s rainfall was 3% below normal.
Sirmaur, meanwhile, bucked the overall trend, recording 3% more rainfall than its normal figure for the period.
Seasonal Deficit Stands at 11%
The rainfall shortage is not confined to the past week. From June 1 to August 30, the state received 542.2 mm of rain, against the normal figure of 608.7 mm. This leaves Himachal Pradesh with an 11% cumulative rainfall deficit for the monsoon season so far.
The weaker rainfall activity has coincided with unusually high temperatures across several locations. In many areas, maximum temperatures remained around three to four degrees above normal.
Keylong recorded a particularly sharp departure from normal conditions. Its maximum temperature climbed to 27.4°C, which was 8.4 degrees higher than the normal temperature.
Relief Likely as Temperatures Dip
The strengthening monsoon activity could bring some relief from the prevailing warmth. A gradual fall in temperatures is expected in parts of the state over the next four to five days as rainfall continues.
With heavy rain forecast in Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur, authorities and residents in vulnerable locations are likely to keep a close watch on weather conditions, particularly in areas susceptible to landslides and other rain-related disruptions.
