Monsoon Arrives in Himachal: Heavy Rainfall Predicted For Upcoming Few Days
In the past 24 hours, Himachal Pradesh has experienced heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, resulting in significant damage across various locations. The Meteorological Department has officially confirmed the onset of the southwest monsoon in the state. The forecast predicts heavy rainfall in several districts including Sirmaur, Solan, Shimla, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Mandi from June 24 to 27, with particularly intense downpours expected on June 25 and 26.
According to the Met Department, the monsoon advanced across most parts of the state on Saturday following widespread heavy rainfall during the night of June 23 and June 24. The early morning hours witnessed substantial rainfall in different areas. Among the notable rainfall records, Kataula in Mandi district received the highest precipitation with 163 mm, followed closely by Sinhuta (160 mm), Kasauli (145 mm), Gaggal (143 mm), Shimla (99 mm), Jubbar-Hatti (77 mm), Pandoh (74 mm), Sundernagar (70 mm), Renukaji (67 mm), Pachhad (65 mm), Theog (60 mm), Kandaghat (59 mm), Mandi (58 mm), Nagrota Suriyan (56 mm), Bhoranj, and Mashobra (52 mm each), Kufri (51 mm), and Dalhousie (49 mm).
Comparing this year’s monsoon arrival to historical data, last year witnessed the onset of monsoon on June 29 in the state. Typically, the monsoon reaches Shimla around June 24. The earliest recorded onset of monsoon in Himachal Pradesh was on June 9 in 2000, while the maximum delay occurred on July 5 in 2010, according to meteorological records.
Heavy Rainfall
The Met Department has further predicted widespread light to moderate rainfall with intermittent heavy downpours in the state for the following three to four days after June 27. In an advisory, they warned of potential traffic congestion due to fog and anticipated water-logging in the plains caused by heavy rainfall.
In the midst of these weather conditions, a local nullah overflowed and breached, leading to damage to four vehicles and one house in Krishna Nagar area of Shimla. Thankfully, no loss of human life has been reported thus far.
Severe Rainfall and Thunderstorms Cause Extensive Damage in Himachal Pradesh
Additionally, due to the heavy rainfall, 18 roads remain closed in the Seraj subdivision of Mandi district. In the Barsar subdivision of Hamirpur district, the Chamb to Kujabalh road and the main road in the Thalout subdivision of Kullu district have also been closed. Furthermore, a landslide in Theog subdivision has resulted in the closure of National Highway-5 in Shimla district. Solan and Sirmaur districts have each experienced the closure of two roads due to the ongoing rainfall.
