The monsoon season is now in full swing across Himachal Pradesh. According to the latest forecast from the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, heavy rainfall is expected across most parts of the state until July 13. Given the consistent downpour, authorities have been placed on high alert as several roads have been blocked and the risk of landslides, debris falls, and flash floods continues to escalate across multiple regions.
Severe Weather Alerts for Multiple Districts
The weather department issued a specific alert for heavy rainfall on Thursday for the districts of Chamba, Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur. Additionally, regions including Kangra, Shimla, and Kullu are expected to experience moderate to heavy precipitation. Shobhit Katiyar, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, stated that the monsoon fully arrived in the state on July 1 and has been consistently active across most districts since. The monsoon is likely to remain intense over the next week, potentially leading to heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in various locations.
Recent Rainfall and Long-term Forecast
In the last 24 hours, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Kangra districts have reported significant rainfall. Jogindernagar in Mandi district recorded approximately 83 millimeters of rain, while Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Shimla also witnessed moderate rainfall. According to the department, very heavy rain is anticipated in Sirmaur, Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, and Kangra over the next four to five days. Heavy rainfall is specifically forecast for Chamba district on July 11. Low-lying and plain areas are expected to see intermittent rain until July 15 or 16, while the monsoon will likely remain active in the mid-hills until July 22 or 23. A reduction in rainfall activity is expected only towards the end of July.
27% Above-Average Precipitation
Looking at the rainfall data from July 1 to July 7, the state has recorded approximately 65 millimeters of rain against the normal average of 51 millimeters, which is about 27 percent higher than normal. The meteorological department indicates that the trend of receiving more than average rainfall is expected to persist in the coming days.
Guidelines for Administration and Public Safety
Continuous rainfall has raised serious concerns regarding landslides, debris, flash floods, and sudden swelling of rivers and streams. Conditions such as low visibility on roads and slippery surfaces are likely to disrupt transport. The department has strongly advised citizens to avoid venturing near riverbanks or water sources and to refrain from unnecessary travel during periods of inclement weather. To ensure emergency preparedness, the department is consistently sharing one-week weather outlooks and three-hour short-term alerts with the state government and district administrations.
