Himachal weather: Heavy rain alert issued for 7 days; state witnesses 33% monsoon deficit in July

The Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for many parts of Himachal Pradesh, warning residents to brace for a wet week ahead.

From July 27 to August 2, a yellow alert is in place, signaling heavy rainfall across various regions. On Friday night, several areas experienced significant downpour, with Dhaula Kuan recording 54 mm of rain, Katola 40.2 mm, Nahan 37.6 mm, Palampur 32 mm, Paonta Sahib 31.2 mm, Sundernagar 26.8 mm and Baijnath 25 mm. The rain began in the capital, Shimla, this afternoon, adding to the wet spell.

Despite the recent rainfall, Himachal Pradesh has recorded 33 per cent less rain than normal from July 1 to July 27. The state received only 147.5 mm of rain compared to the expected 220.1 mm. The deficit is notable in several districts: Bilaspur received 22 per cent less rain than normal, Chamba 39 per cent, Hamirpur 26 per cent, Kinnaur 51 per cent, Kullu 35 per cent, Lahaul-Spiti 91 per cent, Mandi 2 per cent, Shimla 28 per cent, Sirmaur 52 per cent, Solan 52 per cent and Una 52 per cent.

According to the Meteorological Department, the yellow alert for heavy rain is specifically for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and parts of Sirmaur districts. Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu and Chamba districts are not under any alert.

The minimum temperatures recorded across various regions highlight the monsoon’s impact. Shimla reported a minimum temperature of 18.6°C, Sundernagar 22.8°C, Bhuntar 22.6°C, Kalpa 17.2°C, Dharamshala 20.9°C, Una 25.6°C, Nahan 25.4°C, Keylong 16.5°C, Palampur 20.0°C, Solan 23.0°C, Manali 20.7°C, Kangra 24.0°C, Mandi 25.1°C, Bilaspur 26.1°C, Hamirpur 26.5°C, Chamba 24.7°C, Dalhousie 19.2°C, Kufri 16.6°C, Narkanda 14.8°C, Bharmour 20.5°C, Reckong Peo 21.0°C, Dhaula Kuan 26.1°C, Barthin 26.0°C, Samdo 19.2°C, Kasauli 19.9°C, Paonta Sahib 26.0°C, Dehra Gopipur 28.0°C, Tabo 16.6°C, Mashobra 17.8°C, Neri 26.5°C, and Bajaura 24.2°C.