Heavy Rain Likely in Himachal Pradesh Till August 11; Orange Alert Issued for Kangra, Mandi and Chamba

Himachal Pradesh is likely to experience a stronger spell of monsoon activity from Monday evening, with heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast in several parts of the state until August 11, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Senior Scientist at IMD Himachal Pradesh, said several areas had received light to moderate rainfall during the past 24 hours. Dharamshala recorded the highest rainfall at 61 mm, while Arki in Solan received 25 mm and Shimla city recorded nearly 40 mm of rain.

According to Sharma, rainfall activity is expected to increase from Monday evening and remain fairly strong through August 11. The mid- and high-altitude areas are likely to receive frequent light to moderate showers, with some locations witnessing intense spells of rain. The IMD has issued an orange alert for August 10 and 11 in Chamba, Kangra and Mandi districts, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected. A yellow alert has been issued for Una, Bilaspur and Shimla, while isolated heavy showers are also possible in other parts of the state.

Rainfall activity is expected to ease somewhat on August 12 and 13, although central and adjoining areas may continue to experience unsettled weather. Some locations could still receive heavy rain, prompting a yellow alert for parts of Chamba, Bilaspur, Kangra and Mandi. The weather department expects monsoon activity to strengthen again from August 14 and remain active until August 16. During this period, widespread moderate rainfall is likely across Himachal Pradesh, with isolated areas potentially receiving heavy showers. Despite the ongoing monsoon spells, Himachal Pradesh has recorded a rainfall deficit of around 9 per cent between June 1 and August 10. Mandi is the only district that has reported below-normal rainfall, while most other districts have received normal or above-normal precipitation.

The IMD has advised residents and tourists to exercise caution while travelling during the period of active monsoon weather. Heavy rainfall can cause sudden rises in the water levels of rivers, streams and other water bodies, while intense showers may also affect road conditions. People have been advised to check weather and road conditions before travelling and avoid unnecessary journeys during adverse weather.

The department has also warned of reduced visibility in Shimla, Solan and nearby areas because of low clouds and intermittent heavy rain. Temperatures across the state are expected to remain close to normal, with Shimla recording around 24°C. Solan temperatures remained between 27°C and 29°C, while Una and Bilaspur recorded temperatures of around 32°C to 34°C.