Shimla, Oct 2,
The southwest monsoon, which set in on June 27, 2024, has partially receded from Himachal Pradesh and is expected to withdraw entirely within a day or two, as per data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). This year’s monsoon performance in the state recorded normal to deficient rainfall levels, with an overall total of 600.9 mm, which is 18 percent below the normal value of 734.4 mm. Despite the shortfall, this amount is still classified as normal.
This year ranks 97th in terms of rainfall over the past 124 years, with 1922 holding the record for the highest annual monsoon rainfall at 1,314.6 mm.
Monsoon Overview and Patterns
The southwest monsoon entered the state on June 27, 2024, a couple of days later than the usual onset date of June 25, covering the entire region by June 29. Historically, such delays are not uncommon, with the earliest onset recorded on June 9, 2000, and the most delayed arrival being on July 5, 2010.
In terms of rainfall patterns, June 2024 saw a significant deficit, with 46.2 mm of rainfall compared to the normal 101.1 mm, marking a 54 percent shortfall compared to the Long Period Average (LPA). Districts like Una, Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla, Mandi, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, and Bilaspur experienced deficient to large deficient rainfall, highlighting significant variation within the state.
July 2024 recorded 180.5 mm of rainfall, 29 percent below the normal value of 255.9 mm. However, while most of the state faced deficits, some areas such as Kangra received heavy rainfall (581.5 mm). Meanwhile, districts like Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla experienced near-normal rainfall, while others continued to see deficits.
By August 2024, there was a slight improvement, with 243.6 mm of rainfall recorded, just 5 percent below the LPA. Some districts, including Shimla, Sirmaur, and Bilaspur, witnessed excess rainfall, while other areas like Kullu, Hamirpur, and Kinnaur remained deficient.
September 2024 ended on a positive note, recording 125.3 mm of rainfall, surpassing the normal of 120.6 mm by 4 percent. Several districts, such as Sirmaur, saw excess rainfall, while Shimla, Mandi, Kinnaur, and Kangra recorded slight surpluses. However, Lahaul-Spiti continued to face significant deficiencies.
Extreme Weather Events
Although this year’s monsoon was less intense compared to the previous year, it still marked several extreme weather events. Notably, Dharamshala and Palampur experienced severe rainfall on July 6, followed by more extreme weather in Palampur on August 1 and Dhaulakuan on September 26. Across the season, isolated reports of very heavy rainfall occurred on one day in June, six days in July, seven days in August, and three days in September.
Cloudbursts in areas like Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla caused extensive damage, leading to flash floods that destroyed homes, bridges, and roads, cutting off essential services and isolating communities. Kullu was particularly affected, with the loss of multiple lives. Tragically, over 55 people were killed in cloudburst-related incidents, with many others injured or missing. The region’s rugged terrain and the sudden accumulation of water from these downpours complicated rescue operations, while damaged infrastructure further hampered relief efforts.
Climate Variability and Concerns
The delayed monsoon onset and uneven distribution of rainfall in 2024 emphasize the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns in Himachal Pradesh. While some districts experienced normal or excess rainfall, others, particularly Lahaul-Spiti, continued to suffer from rainfall shortages throughout the season.
There were also a few instances of snowfall in the higher altitudes of Chamba, Kangra’s Dhauladhar range, Lahaul-Spiti, and Kinnaur districts, although this was a less prominent feature of the monsoon season.
Despite the categorization of the state’s overall rainfall as normal, the 18 percent deficit raises concerns about water availability for agricultural purposes and the growing risk of landslides caused by concentrated extreme rainfall events.
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