Himachal: Monsoon is normal, withdrawal will begin in two-three days

Himachal Pradesh: Monsoon will start withdrawing from some parts of the state in the next two-three days. According to the Meteorological Department, the withdrawal will start from areas bordering Jammu and Kashmir. The Meteorological Department said in a press release, “The seasonal (June to September) rainfall of the South-west Monsoon in the state has been normal. The state received 600.9 mm of rain against the normal rainfall of 734.4 mm, which is a decline of minus 18 percent.” According to the release, the state received the 97th highest rainfall (600.9 mm) in this monsoon season in the last 124 years. The highest rainfall (1,314.6 mm) for the period 1901 to 2024 was recorded in the year 1922. The monsoon, which arrived in the state on June 27, was minus 54 percent short in June, while the actual rainfall was 46.2 mm against the normal rainfall of 101.1 mm. In July, the deficit fell to minus 29 per cent, while the actual rainfall was 180.5 mm against the normal of 255.9 mm. In August, the monsoon picked up pace and the state recorded 243.6 mm of rain against the normal of 256.8 mm, while the deficit was only minus 5 per cent. However, September recorded 4 per cent more rain than normal, taking the total to minus 18 per cent below normal. Kuldeep Srivastava, director of the Shimla-based meteorological centre, said, “A deficit of plus, minus 19 per cent from normal is considered normal.” According to the weather department, extremely heavy rain was recorded in Dharamsala on July 6, Palampur on August 1 and Dhaula Kuan on September 26. Very heavy rain was recorded only on one day in the month of June, six days in July, seven days in August and three days in September.