Himachal Monsoon may last till Oct 5: IMD
Shimla, Aug 31,
The Southwest Monsoon, which typically begins to retreat from Himachal Pradesh between September 20 and 25, is projected to extend its stay this year, with withdrawal likely delayed by up to ten days.
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast that Monsoon season may prolonged till October 5 in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
It had advanced into the state on June 26 and 27, is expected to remain active until at least October 5, marking an unusually prolonged monsoon season for this northwestern region of India.
Throughout northwest India, the monsoon has been almost normal this year. As of August 29, the region received approximately 486.1 mm of rainfall, slightly above the normal 476.3 mm. However, Himachal Pradesh has experienced a significant deficiency in rainfall, recording 467.9 mm against a normal of 608.7 mm, a shortfall of 23 percent.
Among the districts, Shimla stands out as the only one to have received above-normal rainfall, recording a 12 percent surplus with 572 mm of rain compared to the expected 512.6 mm. This anomaly highlights the variability of monsoon intensity across different parts of the state.
On the other end of the spectrum, Lahaul and Spiti have been the most affected, with a staggering 73 percent deficiency. The district received only 79.5 mm of rainfall against a normal of 293.7 mm. Kinnaur also faced severe deficits, recording 43 percent less rainfall than its normal, with 104.1 mm against an expected 183.7 mm.
Chamba, another district with a significant shortfall, recorded 472.7 mm of rainfall, 34 percent less than its normal of 715.1 mm. Similarly, Hamirpur received 571.1 mm of rainfall, falling short by 32 percent against the expected 834.5 mm.
The situation is concerning across the state, with several districts experiencing a marked deficiency in rainfall. Kullu recorded 348.2 mm, 22 percent below its normal of 447.2 mm, while Solan experienced a 30 percent deficit, receiving only 503.7 mm compared to a normal of 723.4 mm.
The delay in monsoon withdrawal and the varied intensity of rainfall underscore the unique climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The extended monsoon period this year is unusual, and its impact on the state’s agriculture and water resources will be closely monitored.
The IMD’s projections would be critical for preparing the state to manage the consequences of both delayed withdrawal and deficient rainfall in many districts.
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