Himachal faces worst January dry spell with 84% rainfall deficit

Himachalscape bureau February 2, 2025 2 minutes read

Himachal rainfall deficit deepens in 2026, Temperatures stay above normal

Photo source; Internet

Shimla, Feb 2,

Himachal Pradesh experienced one of its driest January months in over six decades, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reporting an alarming 84% rainfall deficiency. The state received only 13.3 mm of rainfall against the normal average of 85.3 mm, marking the ninth lowest rainfall in January since 1901. The driest January on record remains 1966, with a mere 0.3 mm of rainfall.

This year’s severe deficit has resulted in drought-like conditions across the state, despite a few isolated spells of rain and snowfall. The rainfall distribution was highly uneven, with all districts recording significantly below-normal precipitation. Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Kangra, and Solan received less than 90% of their normal rainfall, while Kullu and Lahaul & Spiti recorded a 76% and 77% deficit, respectively. Lahaul & Spiti, despite receiving the highest precipitation at 23.3 mm, remained far below normal. The worst-affected districts were Una and Hamirpur, where the deficit reached a staggering 95%.

The month saw only eight mild to light spells of rain and 18 spells of snowfall, primarily in isolated pockets, leaving most of the state dry. The most significant rainfall occurred on January 12, 16, and 17, with fairly widespread showers, but the rest of the month remained predominantly dry, marked by weak weather activity.

Key locations like Pandoh, Tinder, and Gohar recorded some precipitation, but these were localized and insufficient to mitigate the overall deficit. Snowfall was also below normal, with limited activity in higher altitudes. Koksar received 19.0 cm of snow on January 17, while Gondla recorded 12.0 cm on the same day. However, such sporadic snowfall events did little to compensate for the widespread lack of precipitation.

The prolonged dry spell has severely impacted agriculture, water resources, and daily life, with rising concerns about water scarcity in the coming months. Above-normal daytime temperatures have worsened the situation, leading to increased evaporation and further drying of soil and air. With winter precipitation playing a crucial role in the state’s water supply, this deficit raises concerns about its long-term impact on agriculture, ecology, and water availability.

The IMD’s forecast for the first week of February offers little hope, with only light precipitation expected at isolated places on February 3, and light to moderate rain likely on February 4 and 5. The rest of the week is expected to remain dry, adding to the state’s growing water crisis.

Himachalscape bureau

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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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