The pre-monsoon spell of rain has set in across Himachal Pradesh. The weather has remained disturbed throughout the state since last night, with thunderstorms reported in several areas. Heavy rainfall has left rivers and streams in spate across many districts. Damage has been reported from Chamba, where sheep and goats lost their lives in a flash flood.
According to the information available, a storm that built up over Haryana last night brought heavy rain to the state. On Thursday evening, a tree came crashing down amid the rain in Rampur, Shimla, crushing two vehicles beneath it. CCTV footage of the incident has also surfaced, showing a large number of people having a narrow escape.
Meanwhile, a sudden rise in the water level of the Gadh stream at Rajera in Chamba buried twenty sheep and goats under debris, killing them. In addition, debris flowed into the Sarei stream at Bharmour on the Bharmour-Pathankot highway, leaving a few vehicles stranded there for a while.
Rainfall Recorded in the Past 12 Hours
The Shimla centre of the Meteorological Department issued a bulletin at 10 am on Friday, stating that the highest rainfall of 105 mm was recorded at Kasauli in Solan over the past 12 hours. Similarly, Dharampur in Solan received 86 mm, Dhaulakuan in Sirmaur 43, Palampur 40, Solan 34, Jot 30, Sarahan 30 and Nahan 26 mm of rain. Issuing an alert last night, the department had said that a roughly 220-km-long squall line had advanced towards Punjab and Haryana, the effect of which was felt in Himachal Pradesh, where winds blew at around 60 to 70 km per hour.
At 2 pm, the department issued a two-hour alert for the Sirmaur and Shimla districts and warned of the possibility of a flash flood.
When Will the Monsoon Arrive in Himachal?
The monsoon could reach Himachal Pradesh between 22 and 25 June. So far it has arrived in 18 states of the country, and the pre-monsoon phase has begun in the state. Continuous rain is likely in several areas, including Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Dharamshala and Mandi.
Weather Outlook for the Next Five Days
According to the Meteorological Department, a yellow and orange alert will be in place across the state on 12 June. During this period, rain, storms and hail are expected. Rainfall will continue under a yellow alert until 16 June, with storms blowing at 60-70 km per hour during this spell.
Where Will It Rain Today
According to the nowcast issued by the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, the weather may change in many parts of the state over the next few hours. Shimla town is likely to see partly cloudy skies with one or two spells of light rain. Some places in the Solan and Sirmaur districts could witness thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds blowing at 30 to 40 km per hour. Isolated light rain may occur in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and the higher reaches. Light rain is also likely in parts of the mid-hill regions, including Shimla, Mandi and Hamirpur. The department added that scattered rain could be recorded in some areas of Una, Bilaspur and Kangra as well.
Water Level Rises in Pandoh Dam, Extra Water to Be Released into Beas
Rainfall and melting snow in the mountains have also pushed up the water level at the Pandoh dam in Mandi. The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has issued a warning that up to 3,000 cusecs of additional water will be released into the Beas river. After the release, the water level in low-lying stretches could rise by two to three metres. An alert has been sent to the three districts of Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra. Elsewhere, the Shamsar stream at Banjar in Kullu went into spate, disrupting the movement of vehicles.
Monsoon to Arrive Within Two Weeks
It is worth noting that the monsoon has already entered around 18 states of the country, and it will reach Himachal Pradesh too within the next two weeks. The monsoon is expected to enter Himachal around 25 June. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for rain and storms and an orange alert for hail in the state for Friday. The rain has pushed the temperature down by up to six degrees across the state.
Rain Brings Relief to Farmers in Lahaul Valley
The weather has suddenly turned in the Lahaul valley of the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti. The intermittent rain that has been falling since last evening has increased the chill in the valley, with the temperature dropping to between 4 and 5 degrees Celsius. The rain has brought great relief to farmers and orchardists, while the administration has gone on alert against possible monsoon disasters. These days, farmers in the valley are busy with various cash crops, including potato and peas, and traditional farming activities. Fields need adequate moisture after sowing, and so the water pouring down from the sky is nothing short of a boon for the farmers.
Heavy Rain Brings Big Relief in Chamba
In Chamba district, the heavy downpour following 10-12 days of intense heat brought great relief to people. The temperature dropped by about 9 degrees after the rain, with the mercury falling from 35 degrees to 26 degrees, making the weather across the entire region pleasant. The sky was completely clear in the morning and schoolchildren reached school without umbrellas or raincoats, but the weather changed suddenly in the afternoon and heavy rain began. At the time of school dismissal, many children reached home drenched in the rain and thoroughly enjoyed it too. The heavy rain left water flowing like a river on the roads. While ordinary people got relief from the heat, the rain also proved beneficial for farmers and orchardists.
