SHIMLA, Aug 1 — Himachal Pradesh’s monsoon may have averaged out statistically, but its fury has been unevenly distributed, with Shimla and Mandi districts pounded by 71% and 58% excess rainfall, respectively, during July. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Shimla received 360.1 mm of rain — far above its normal of 210.2 mm — while Mandi logged 612.1 mm, compared to the usual 386.5 mm.
Kullu also witnessed 25% above-normal rainfall, with 229.9 mm recorded against an average of 184 mm. However, the contrast was stark in other districts. Lahaul-Spiti saw the state’s sharpest deficit at 77%, while Solan fell short by 17%, and Kinnaur and Chamba by 13% each.
Despite such extremes, the state’s overall July rainfall was classified as “normal,” totalling 255.4 mm — marginally below the monthly average of 255.9 mm.
The impact on life and infrastructure has been devastating. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), since the onset of monsoon on June 20, Himachal has recorded 173 deaths — 95 due to rain-related events such as landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, and electrocution, and 78 in road accidents. Over 1,400 houses have been damaged, with Mandi district suffering the most.
The situation remains grim as the Mandi-Kullu stretch of NH-21 — a vital segment of the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway — was once again blocked on Thursday evening, just hours after being cleared earlier in the day. The recurring landslides at Banala near Aut have made the road unstable, forcing repeated closures.
As of Thursday, 291 roads remained closed, including 171 in Mandi and 76 in Kullu. In addition, 219 water supply schemes have been disrupted, with Kangra worst hit at 134, followed by Mandi with 78 affected schemes.
Looking ahead, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall across multiple districts till August 6. Light to moderate rainfall is expected at many locations on August 1, 2, 3 and 8, and at most places on August 4 and 5.
The IMD’s Shimla centre forecast isolated spells of heavy rainfall in Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur on August 1. On August 2, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur will remain under alert. The next day, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Sirmaur districts are expected to receive heavy rainfall. A state-wide alert has been issued for August 4 covering ten districts.
In the last 24 hours, Bijahi in Mandi recorded the highest rainfall at 6 cm, followed by Dharamshala and Kothi with 5 cm each, Gohar (4 cm), and Sarahan, Sundernagar, and Pandoh at 3 cm each. Light rain was also recorded in Hamirpur, Bharmaur, Rohru, Aghar, Chamba, Kataula, and Manali.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as intermittent rain and recurring landslides hamper relief and connectivity efforts across the hill state.
