Himachal witnesses wettest monsoon after 29 years

With Himachal Pradesh receiving a record 39 per cent surplus rain, the state this year has witnessed the wettest monsoon season after a gap of 29 years. Also, this year, the state recorded its 15th highest rainfall since the 1900. The highest ever rainfall that has been reported in Himachal Pradesh is 1,314 mm, which was recorded in 1922.

As per the State’s Meteorological Department, Himachal Pradesh, this year received around 1,022 mm rain during the past three months as compared to 734.4 mm rain which is considered normal average rainfall during the monsoon season in the state.

In June, the state recorded 34 per cent surplus rain as it recorded 135 mm rain against 101.1 mm rain, with Shimla, Mandi, Solan, Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts receiving the highest precipitation. However, in July, the state recorded 2 per cent rain deficit as it received 250.3 mm rain as compared to 255.9 mm.

Monsoon picked up pace in August as it received 431.3 m rain as compared to 258.6 mm normal average rain making it 68 per cent more than normal rain. September emerged as the wettest month of this year’s monsoon season as it recorded 205.7 mm rain against 120.6 mm, which was 71 per cent higher than average normal.

The department revealed that the southwest monsoon entered the state on June 20 and covered the entire state by June 24, a day earlier than the usual date of June 25. This year, the withdrawal of monsoon was also delayed by a day as the monsoon retreated completely from the state on September 26, one day later than the normal withdrawal date of September 25.

The department further revealed that Himachal Pradesh experienced 36 days of very heavy rainfall during the season with four days in June, eight in July, 15 in August and nine days in September.