Shimla in Himachal Pradesh recorded 39 per cent above-normal rainfall during the monsoon season that lasted from June 1 to September 30. According to the Meteorological Department, the state received 1,022.5 mm of rainfall against the seasonal average of 734.4 mm.
The intense rains caused widespread destruction across the hill state, leading to estimated losses of more than ₹4,881 crore. During the season, Himachal witnessed 47 cloudbursts, 98 flash floods and 148 significant landslides. The calamities claimed 454 lives, highlighting the severe toll of this year’s monsoon.
Looking at long-term records, the earliest onset of the southwest monsoon in the last 29 years was on June 9, 2000, while the most delayed arrival was on July 5, 2010. Similarly, the earliest withdrawal took place on September 18, 2001, and the latest was noted on October 11, 2019.
This year’s rainfall has been ranked as the 15th-highest monsoon total in the past 125 years and the highest in nearly three decades. For context, the heaviest rainfall on record during the same period was 1,314.6 mm in 1922.
Month-wise distribution revealed that rainfall was 34 per cent above normal in June, 68 per cent higher in August and 71 per cent higher in September. July, however, saw a deficit of 2 per cent. The MeT office confirmed that very heavy rain days numbered 36 this season.
Of the total fatalities, 264 people died in rain-related incidents while 190 lost their lives in road accidents. Another 498 individuals sustained injuries, and 50 remain unaccounted for. The latest assessment from the State Emergency Operation Centre, issued on September 24, reported that around 9,230 houses were either fully destroyed or partially damaged.
