Himalayan states face monsoon mayhem: Record rainfall strikes Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

In a relentless monsoon onslaught, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, both Himalayan states, are grappling with unprecedented rainfall levels, exacerbating the flood conditions experienced earlier. Rishikesh in Uttarakhand reported a staggering 420 mm of rainfall on Sunday alone, with Dehradun and Mussoorie recording significant showers of 250 mm and 190 mm, respectively.

Himachal Pradesh, already reeling from July’s flood havoc, confronts additional challenges with landslides and flash floods due to the consistent heavy rains of the past 48 hours. Kangra’s rainfall recorded an unmatched 273 mm within a 24-hour frame for August, trailed by 250 mm in Dharamshala and 220 mm in Palampur. Meanwhile, the popular Shimla hill station reported its second-highest August rainfall with 131.6 mm.

The meteorological department forecasts the monsoon’s forceful presence north of its standard trajectory for another few days, intensifying concerns of continued torrential rains in isolated pockets of both states. While the downpour may taper off post-Tuesday, Uttarakhand is poised for substantial rainfalls till August 18, heightening the risk of rising river levels. Adjacently, areas like north Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, and northwest Uttar Pradesh anticipate brief rain spells on Monday, but sweltering conditions will dominate given the weak monsoon in the vicinity.

This potent rain spell has trimmed India’s overall monsoon deficit to a mere 4%. With 22 subdivisions enjoying a regular monsoon and five—including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, and Telangana—witnessing an excess, northwest India logs a 13% rain surplus this season. Nevertheless, significant monsoon shortfalls persist in nine subdivisions, encompassing pivotal rice-farming territories like west Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Gangetic West Bengal. Jharkhand, with its near-drought circumstances the prior year, shows a concerning 37% rainfall deficit. The week ahead may usher in amplified rain activities across east and central India, even as other regions brace for a subdued monsoon phase.