Shimla, Sept 1,
Himachal Pradesh was battered by extraordinary monsoon fury on Monday, September 1, as the state recorded a staggering 667 percent above normal rainfall, with several districts reporting precipitation levels many times higher than seasonal averages.
The daily bulletin revealed that Solan emerged as the worst hit, recording 138.7 mm of rain against a normal of just 5.9 mm, marking an unprecedented 2251 percent departure. Bilaspur followed with 95 mm rainfall, 1965 percent above its normal of 4.6 mm, while Shimla too faced a severe downpour at 78.8 mm, translating to 1776 percent above normal. Sirmaur was lashed by 155.1 mm of rain against a usual 10.3 mm, showing a rise of 1406 percent.
Also read: Himachal Pradesh witnessed historic Rainfall in August, marking wettest month in over 75 years
Other districts also reported alarming deviations. Hamirpur received 52 mm, which was 1109 percent higher than its average of 4.3 mm. Kinnaur stood at 25.8 mm against 2.1 mm, a 1129 percent rise. Una saw 54.3 mm, 888 percent above normal, while Kullu registered 24.6 mm, reflecting a 603 percent increase. Mandi, with 40.7 mm rainfall against 7.5 mm, was up by 442 percent, and even the cold desert of Lahaul-Spiti received 12.4 mm against 3.3 mm, marking 277 percent above normal. Kangra recorded 22.6 mm, 98 percent above normal, while Chamba stood at 7.9 mm, a 72 percent rise.
With the state as a whole drenched far beyond expected levels, authorities have warned of flash floods, landslides, and travel disruptions, particularly in Bilaspur, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una, which remain under red alert for the next 16–18 hours. The extraordinary figures underscore the severity of this year’s monsoon spell, as Himachal Pradesh grapples with saturated slopes, rising rivers, and mounting damage to life and infrastructure. And while this report is being filed, the day has not yet ended, raising fears that rainfall figures could climb even higher by midnight.
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