No snow on peaks visible from Kangra, Dharamshala; November records 95% rain deficit, agriculture takes a hit; relief likely on Dec 4-5
Sunil Chadha
Dharamshala: December has arrived, but the towering Dhauladhar range, usually snow-draped by now, is still wearing a stark, brown-grey look. From Kangra to Dharamshala, residents are witnessing an unusually bare mountain skyline, a rare sight attributed to drought-like conditions that have tightened their grip on Himachal Pradesh after an entirely dry November.
According to the Meteorological Department, Himachal normally receives light rain at several locations through November, but this year the pattern flipped dramatically. Seven districts of Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Solan recorded almost no precipitation through the month. Sirmaur district logged a minus 100% rainfall departure, receiving not a single drop. Overall, the state recorded 95% below-normal rainfall, with just 1 mm against the normal 19.7 mm.
Dry spell hits rabi sowing; farmers shift to barley, mustard
Clear skies and persistent northern winds have wiped out soil moisture, leaving farmers anxious. Agricultural experts say wheat sowing has been the worst affected. “Nearly 60% of the wheat sowing is pending in many areas due to lack of moisture,” farmers said, explaining that they are avoiding sowing in dry fields. In some pockets, cultivators are now turning to barley, mustard and fodder crops as alternatives.
An agriculture official said the state had managed only 75% wheat sowing so far, adding that continued dry weather could hamper germination. The horticulture sector is also under strain. An orchardist, Ishan Kanwar, warned that if dry conditions persist, apple orchards may fail to meet their essential winter chilling requirements, affecting next year’s yield.
Nights get colder, streams start freezing in higher reaches
Despite the lack of rain, temperatures have dipped sharply. Day temperatures have stayed 2-3°C below normal, while nights have turned bitter, bringing “dry cold” across the hills. In Lahaul and several upper-Himalayan zones, sub-zero nights have begun freezing streams, waterfalls and rivulets.
Lower and mid-Himalayan belts, areas that typically receive cloud cover and light drizzle in November, have recorded the most severe dry conditions. Except Kinnaur, which saw mild drizzles, no district received meaningful rainfall, and even there the showers made no dent in soil moisture or temperatures.
Dense fog made an appearance in pockets of Mandi, Bilaspur and Kangra on Sunday morning and evening. The Met office has issued a yellow alert for fog for Monday and Tuesday.
Relief likely soon: Rain, snow forecast for Dec 4–5
There may finally be some respite this week. The weather office predicts that a fresh western disturbance is likely to become active around December 4. Rain is expected across lower and mid hills, while higher altitudes may receive the season’s first significant snowfall on December 4-5.
If the rain arrives in time, it could offer crucial support to the ongoing Rabi season and ease agricultural stress across the state.
