175 percent above normal rainfall batters Himachal; Chamba, Kullu worst hit
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source Internet
Shimla, Aug 27,
Chamba has recorded a staggering 396% above average rainfall, while the State recorded 175% above average in 7 days (Aug 20 to Aug 27) period. Chamba topping the charts with 237.5 mm of rainfall against a normal of just 47.9 mm — remained the epicentre of this week’s devastation in Himachal Pradesh. The deluge reportedly drowned seven houses in the Rabi river, Manimahesh yatra remains stranded, hundreds displaced, and cut off large stretches of the district from the rest of the state. Even mobile connectivity and internet got affected.
Kullu too faced nature’s fury, recording 334% excess rain in the past week, triggering landslides and snapping road links. The district remains disconnected from the state, with the Chandigarh–Manali highway closed and the Manali–Leh road affected, stranding tourists and obstructing essential movement.
Other districts reported similarly high surpluses — Una (281%), Bilaspur (258%), Lahaul-Spiti (240%) and Solan (180%). Statewide, the average rainfall stood at 132.6 mm against a normal of 48.2 mm, an excess of 175%.
In Chamba, where the terrain already hampers coverage, mobile connectivity has worsened, compounding distress for residents. The issue resonated in the ongoing monsoon session of the Assembly today, with legislators pressing for urgent steps to restore services.
This morning PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, in a suo motu statement said that nearly 800 km of roads in Himachal Pradesh fall under NHAI. The prolonged travel time—up to 12 hours between Mandi and Kullu—has impacted tourism and agriculture. He stressed that the supply of perishable items such as flowers and vegetables has been disrupted, damaging the state economy. He said that monsoon rain between August 24–26 caused widespread devastation. “In just two days, 1,091 roads and two bridges were damaged, resulting in losses of around Rs 155 Cr. ” he said.
Meteorologists warn that this week’s deluge has added to an already swollen August. From August 1–27, Himachal has received 381 mm of rainfall — 62% above normal, with Shimla (105% excess), Solan (110%), and Una (122%) among the districts that have seen nearly double their seasonal averages.
With rivers running high and fragile slopes saturated, authorities are working round the clock to reopen blocked highways, provide relief to affected families, and avert further tragedy. Yet, as the rain-heavy clouds linger, the full extent of the damage may take days to unfold.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
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