With 68% surplus rain, Himachal Pradesh records wettest August in 76 years

With the state receiving 68 per cent surplus rainfall, Himachal Pradesh witnessed its wettest August in 76 years, breaking decades-old records of monsoon intensity. This year’s heavy rainfall has made August 2025 the ninth wettest since 1901.The state had received the highest rainfall ever in the month of August in 1927, when it received an unprecedented 542.4 mm of rain in a single month.

The state received widespread rainfall in August this year, with most districts recording precipitation far above normal. Overall, Himachal Pradesh recorded an average of 431.3 mm of rain against the normal 256.8 mm, marking a surplus of 68 per cent. Interestingly, the state has been recording rainfall deficit in August over the last four consecutive years with the state recording minus 3 per cent rain deficit in 2024 and minus 4 per cent deficit each in 2023 and 2022 and minus 44 per cent in 2021.

As per the State’s Meteorological Centre of the Indian Meteorological Department, Kangra received the highest amount of precipitation in August, which is 816.2 mm as compared to normal 631.5 mm while Lahaul and Spiti received the lowest precipitation which is 129.7 mm as compared to 117.6 mm, which is considered normal for August in the district. Una received 815.1 mm against 372.2 mm, Mandi 667.9 mm against 395.3 mm, Solan 627.9 mm against 287.9 mm, Hamirpur 617.9 mm against 400.6 mm, Bilaspur 598.7 mm against the normal 316.8 mm, Chamba 561.6 mm compared to 291.7 mm, Sirmaur 557.5 mm against 402.1 mm, Kullu 477.5 mm against the normal 180.2 mm, Shimla 438 mm against 196.4 mm while Kinnaur reported 143.3 mm against 77.6 mm.

Additionally, Kullu received the highest surplus rainfall departure which is 165 per cent while Lahaul and Spiti received the lowest rainfall departure which is 10 per cent. The highest rainfall in the state in a single day was recorded in Una, which received a record 222.8 mm rain on August 2.

Meanwhile, the State’s Meteorological Department has forecasted that above normal rainfall will continue in September.