Himachal Weather: Highest rainfall recorded in August for 1st time since 1949

The highest rainfall (542.4 mm) was recorded in 1927. This has been revealed in the data released by the Meteorological Center Shimla. 256.8 mm of rain was considered normal in the state in August, but in reality 431.3 mm of rain occurred which is 68 percent more.

Shimla: Rain in Himachal Pradesh has broken the record of about 76 years in August. The state has received the ninth highest rainfall (431.3 mm) in August since the year 1901. This is the highest rainfall in August since the year 1949.

Earlier, the highest rainfall (542.4 mm) was recorded in 1927. This has been revealed in the data released by the Meteorological Center Shimla. 256.8 mm of rain was considered normal in the state in August, but in reality 431.3 mm of rain occurred which is 68 percent more.

During this period, the highest rainfall of 816.2 mm was recorded in district Kangra and the lowest rainfall of 129.7 mm was recorded in district Lahaul-Spiti. In August, Bilaspur, Chamba, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Una districts received more than normal rainfall. Hamirpur, Kangra and Sirmaur districts received more than normal rainfall and Lahaul-Spiti district received normal rainfall.

Clouds will rain for so many days

According to Meteorological Center Shimla, the period of rain will continue in the state till September 7. Today, there is a red alert for Una, Bilaspur, Kangra, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts.

Whereas there is an orange alert for Hamirpur, Chamba, Kullu, Mandi, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti. Red alert has been issued for Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur for September 2, while orange alert has been issued for the remaining districts.

In view of the bad weather, the administration has issued orders to keep educational institutions closed in Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Una and Hamirpur, Lahaul-Spiti.

According to the department, during September, normal to above normal rainfall is expected in most parts of the state.

Heavy rains amid red alert

During the last 24 hours, Nangal Dam and BBMB area received 220.0, Raipur Maidan 215.0, Naina Devi Ji 192.0, Solan 187.0, Nahan 177.8, Jaton Barrage 170.0, Kasauli 135.0, Dadahu 134.0, Malraon 132.0, Rohru 130.0, Dharampur 124.6, Una 117.4, Shimla 115.8, Paonta Sahib 109.6, Kandaghat 108.2, Jubbarhatti 108.0, Barthin 102.0, Brahmani 94.6, Kufri 89.6, Karsog 81.2, Bilaspur 80.8, Narkanda 75.0, Aghar 72.4, Kahu 69.0, Kotkhai and Shilaru 68.4, Baggi 62.6 and Neri received 61.0 mm of rain.

320 died in monsoon so far

Amid the ongoing rains in the state, property worth Rs 3,05,684.33 lakh has been damaged so far during the monsoon season. 320 people have lost their lives in the state from 20 June to 31 August in this monsoon season. 379 people have been injured. 40 people are still missing.

During this period, 154 people have died in road accidents. 4,569 kutcha-pucca houses, shops have been damaged so far due to cloudburst, landslides, floods. 3,710 cow shelters have also been damaged. 1,885 domestic animals have died.

Himachal CM

Himachal Pradesh has been declared a disaster-hit state from today. This announcement was made by Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu in the Assembly. He said that the monsoon has become active again in the state from August 21, after which incidents like heavy rains, cloudbursts and landslides are continuously happening in different parts of the state. These natural disasters have caused heavy losses in many districts of the state.

These districts were most affected

The Chief Minister said that the most affected districts during this period include Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, Kangra and Hamirpur. He said that according to preliminary estimates, a total loss of Rs 3,056 crore has been incurred. In this loss, the most affected infrastructure of roads, bridges, water and electricity has been affected.

Sukhu said that the state government has immediately started relief and rescue operations under the Disaster Management Act. He said that the concerned departments of the districts, state and central government have been ordered to complete the relief work and reconstruction of infrastructure on a war footing.

Traffic affected due to natural disaster

Traffic has also been affected due to landslides and heavy rains in different parts of the state. Many roads have been closed, making it challenging to deliver relief to the affected areas. But the government has assured that relief material and necessary resources will be delivered to all the affected areas as soon as possible.