Shimla, 2 August — The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for several districts of Himachal Pradesh through August 5 as the monsoon continues to lash the hill state. The department has also forecast normal to above normal rainfall across many parts of Himachal during the second half of the monsoon season (August–September 2025).
According to IMD officials, parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Chamba may experience below normal rainfall in the coming days. Meanwhile, temperatures in August are expected to remain normal to below normal in the plains and adjoining mid-hill regions, while mid and high hills may experience normal to slightly above normal temperatures.
IMD noted that the state received normal rainfall in July—recording 250.3 mm of actual rainfall, which is just 2% below the normal mark of 255.9 mm. Shimla district recorded a 70% surplus in rainfall, while Lahaul-Spiti saw a sharp deficit of 75%.
Among all districts, Mandi registered the highest rainfall with 574.7 mm, whereas Lahaul-Spiti reported the lowest at 32.2 mm. While Shimla recorded large excess rainfall, Kullu and Mandi saw excess rainfall. Most other districts including Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur, Hamirpur, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una received rainfall within the normal range.
Light to moderate rainfall is likely in many places on August 2, 3, 6 and 7, while widespread showers are expected on August 4 and 5. The IMD has sounded yellow alerts of heavy rain in Bilaspur, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur districts for August 2. On August 3, Chamba, Kangra, and Sirmaur districts will remain under yellow alert.
A statewide yellow alert has been issued for August 4, with the exception of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti. On August 5, most parts of the state will continue to experience heavy rain spells, according to officials.
In the last 24 hours, monsoon activity remained active across Himachal Pradesh. Isolated areas recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall. The highest precipitation was recorded in Chuari, Chamba district, at 12 cm. Other notable figures include Manali (6 cm), Banjar and Bharari (5 cm each), Kothi and Saloni (4 cm each), and Amb, Sarahan, and Chamba town (3 cm each). Several other locations including Sangraha, Nichar, Jogindernagar, Bharmaur, and Mandi saw rainfall ranging between 1 to 2 cm.
Officials have urged residents, especially in landslide- and flood-prone regions, to remain cautious over the next few days.
