Solan witnesses second wettest October in 27 years

After a long spell of dry Octobers, Solan district has witnessed its second wettest October in nearly three decades, receiving 165.6 mm of rainfall, an exceptional turnaround that has transformed the region’s agricultural outlook. The last time Solan saw comparable precipitation was in 1998, when 264 mm rain drenched the district, including a record 163.4 mm on a single day, October 17.

This October, a similar meteorological event unfolded on October 8, when the district recorded 112.1 mm of rain within 24 hours. According to Dr Satish Bhardwaj, Head of the Department of Environmental Sciences at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, most of this year’s rain fell during the first fortnight of the month. He attributed the phenomenon to a rare interaction between a western disturbance and the monsoon trough, which delayed the southwest monsoon’s withdrawal. “This synoptic interaction enhanced moisture incursion and led to widespread rainfall activity,” Dr Bhardwaj explained.

The timely downpour has significantly improved soil moisture across the district’s rainfed zones, creating ideal conditions for rabi crop sowing. Farmers who, in the previous year, battled prolonged dryness and delayed planting, are now witnessing fields ready for timely sowing of key crops such as garlic, peas, radish, carrot, cabbage and cauliflower. “Moist soil has improved seed germination, nutrient uptake and crop establishment — factors crucial for better yields,” Dr Bhardwaj noted.

However, the excess rainfall hasn’t been entirely benign. The downpours have disrupted seed production of beans and affected the off-season cauliflower harvest, both important for the region’s economy.

Looking ahead, weather scientists predict a continuation of favourable conditions. The India Meteorological Department projects above-normal winter rainfall from December 2025 to March 2026 due to La Niña conditions. This could sustain soil moisture and lower temperatures across Himachal Pradesh, potentially leading to a colder-than-normal winter with increased chances of snowfall and cold waves in the hills.

Agriculturally, these conditions are likely to benefit temperate fruit crops such as apples, as extended cold periods help accumulate chilling hours necessary for bud dormancy and uniform flowering. Farmers, however, have been advised to adopt frost protection measures like mulching and light irrigation to prevent cold injury to their crops.