The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Kangra, Chamba and Sirmaur districts in Himachal Pradesh. The weather agency has warned of heavy to very heavy rain, with isolated spells of extremely heavy rainfall, as the southwest monsoon remains active over the state.
IMD Himachal Pradesh Senior Scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma said in Shimla on Tuesday that most parts of the state received rain over the past 24 hours. Kangra, Chamba and Sirmaur recorded the heaviest showers during this period.
“Over the past 24 hours, widespread rainfall has been recorded across Himachal Pradesh. Kangra, Chamba and Sirmaur witnessed heavy to very heavy rainfall. Since late Monday night, weather conditions have remained particularly vigorous over Kangra and Chamba. Palampur recorded the highest rainfall of 140 mm till 8:30 a.m., and rainfall has continued there even after that. In Sirmaur, Rajgarh, Paonta Sahib and Nahan experienced heavy to very heavy rainfall, with Rajgarh recording around 105 mm,” Sharma said.
He said heavy showers were also reported from Churah and Jot in Chamba district. Rainfall is continuing in several areas of Chamba and Kangra, as well as neighbouring parts of Kullu and Mandi.
He said the weather is likely to remain severe on Tuesday and through the night of July 21-22. Kangra and Chamba are expected to be the worst affected areas.
"Another strong spell of rain is expected in Kangra and Chamba during the night and early morning. A Red Alert has therefore been issued for both districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rain and isolated extremely heavy rainfall. Sirmaur may not receive rain as intense as it did over the last two days, but the continued rainfall has increased the cumulative impact. This is why the Red Alert has been extended there for the next 24 hours," he said.
Rainfall in Kullu and Mandi is expected to be less intense, Sharma said. The IMD has therefore placed these districts under an orange alert. Shimla is also under an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall. The weather is likely to start improving from Wednesday, he said.
"Rainfall activity will gradually weaken from July 22. An orange alert will mainly remain in place for Kangra and Mandi, while Chamba, Shimla and Solan will be under a yellow alert for heavy rain. A major reduction in rainfall is expected from July 23," Sharma said.
He, however, said rain would continue in different parts of Himachal Pradesh till July 23. On July 24 and 25, intermittent showers are likely mainly over the mid-hills and nearby plains.
"Isolated heavy rain may still occur in Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kangra and Una on July 24 and 25," he added. The senior IMD scientist also warned of a possible rise in flash flood risks in several areas because the soil is already saturated after continuous rainfall.
"Heavy to very heavy rain over Shimla, parts of Mandi near Kullu, Kangra and Chamba during the last 24 hours has raised the possibility of flash floods. Any further spell of intense rainfall could lead to flash flood situations. Advisories have therefore been issued for these areas," Sharma said.
Speaking about the rainfall situation in July, Sharma said four districts — Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Lahaul-Spiti and Mandi — have received less rain than normal so far this month. The other eight districts have recorded rainfall above the normal level.
He said Himachal Pradesh has received 14 per cent less rainfall than normal between June 1 and July 21. However, Solan, Una, Sirmaur, Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur and Chamba have received rainfall close to their seasonal average.
Widespread rain also brought down maximum temperatures across the state by around 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours. "Maximum temperatures in Shimla, Solan and Dharamshala were between 21 and 23 degrees Celsius. Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Mandi saw the biggest drop of around three to four degrees, with temperatures settling between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius. Paonta Sahib recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 32 degrees Celsius," Sharma said.
He said there is unlikely to be much change in daytime temperatures over the next two days. Temperatures are expected to remain below normal in several parts of Himachal Pradesh.
Sharma also warned that low clouds could reduce visibility in Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur. He said the problem would be caused by low cloud cover rather than fog. "Low clouds are likely to cover Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur, leading to poor visibility. Visibility may also fall sharply in areas that receive heavy rainfall," he said.
Also read: Melting glaciers put Himachal’s hydropower sector at risk
Follow us
