State witnesses 84% rainfall deficit in Jan

With only 13.4 mm rainfall received against a normal of 85.3 mm, Himachal Pradesh witnessed 84 per cent rain deficit in January, thus making it the ninth lowest rainfall in the state in the month of January from 1901 to 2025.

The lowest rainfall, 0.3 mm, was recorded in the year 1966. In 2024, the state had recorded 6.8 mm rainfall.

According to the state’s Meteorological Department, Hamirpur and Una were 95 per cent rain deficit. Both the districts witnessed 2.7 mm and 1.9 mm rainfall against a normal of 52.8 mm and 40 mm.

Similarly, Bilaspur and Kangra districts witnessed 94 per cent deficit with both districts receiving 2.7 mm and 4.6 mm rainfall against a normal of 47.7 mm and 72.5 mm.

Solan and Kinnaur also recorded a deficit of 93 per cent with both districts receiving 4 mm and 7.4 mm rainfall against 55.1 mm and 101.7 mm. Chamba received 14.2 mm rainfall against 119.6 mm, thus witnessing an 88 per cent rain deficit.

Mandi witnessed a deficit of 85 per cent as it received 9.2 mm rainfall as compared to 62.8 mm and Shimla recorded 82 per cent rain deficit as it received 11.5 mm rainfall against a normal of 63.3 mm.

Sirmour received 9.3 mm rainfall against a normal of 47.1 mm and Kullu witnessed 76 per cent deficit with the district receiving 20.7 mm rainfall against 88 mm.

Lahaul and Spiti district received the highest rainfall as it recorded 23.3 mm rain against 103.1 mm. However, rainfall deficit in Lahaul and Spiti was 77 mm, thus the lowest deficit among all 12 districts.

Meanwhile, light precipitation is very likely at isolated places on February 3. Light to moderate precipitation is also very likely at a few places on February 4 and 5 with dry weather very likely over the state during the remaining days of the week.