Himachal Pradesh received only 13.3 mm of rainfall from January 1 to February 1, much lower than the normal 85.3 mm. This made it the ninth lowest January rainfall in the state since 1901, according to the local meteorological department.
The driest January on record was in 1966, with just 0.3 mm of rain. Other low rainfall years include 2024 (6.8 mm) and 2018 (9 mm).
In January 2024, the state saw an 84 per cent rainfall deficit. All 12 districts recorded below-normal rainfall, with Kullu experiencing a 76 per cent shortfall and Hamirpur and Una the highest at 95 per cent. Other districts also faced significant shortages: Lahaul-Spiti (77%), Solan and Kinnaur (93%), Chamba (88%), Mandi (85%), Shimla (82%), and Sirmaur (80%).
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Rainfall in January was scattered, with weak weather activity on most days and normal activity only on January 12, 16, and 17. The highest single-day rainfall was recorded in Pandoh (Mandi) at 23.5 mm on January 7, followed by Sarahan (Shimla) at 18.1 mm on January 12.
Snowfall was also limited. Koksar in Lahaul-Spiti recorded the highest snowfall at 19 cm on January 17, followed by Bharmour (Chamba) with 15.3 cm on January 16 and Hansa (Lahaul-Spiti) with 15 cm on January 20.
The weather department has forecast light rain at isolated places on Monday, light to moderate rain at some locations on February 4-5, and dry weather on February 6-7.
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