SHIMLA, JULY 21: Heavy monsoon showers lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh over the past 24 hours, with Palampur in Kangra district recording the highest rainfall of 136.4 mm, while several stations in Sirmaur and Kangra also witnessed intense precipitation.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that heavy to very heavy rain is likely to continue over isolated parts of the state during the coming week, urging residents, tourists and farmers to exercise caution.
According to the IMD's Meteorological Centre, Shimla, Palampur (Kangra) received 136.4 mm of rain, followed by Dadahu (Sirmaur) 105.6 mm, Jatton Barrage (Sirmaur) 103.6 mm, Paonta Sahib 79.8 mm, Nahan 79.2 mm, Dharamshala 75.4 mm, Bhattiyat (Chamba) 71 mm, Kangra 68.2 mm, Pachhad (Sirmaur) 65.3 mm, and Sangrah and Dhaulakuan (Sirmaur) 60 mm each during the last 24 hours.
Among major towns, Shimla recorded 5.2 mm, Sundernagar 31.8 mm, Mandi 30.4 mm, Manali 6 mm, Solan 9.7 mm, Una 9.4 mm, Kufri 28 mm, Kotkhai 14.4 mm, Kasauli 16 mm, Keylong 20 mm, and Sarahan 18.7 mm.
The weather office said the southwest monsoon remains active over the region due to the monsoon trough and an upper-air cyclonic circulation over Punjab and adjoining areas.
It has forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places on July 22, heavy to very heavy rainfall on July 23, and heavy rainfall at isolated places from July 24 to July 27.
The IMD has cautioned that intense rainfall may trigger flash floods, landslides, mudslides, waterlogging and a rise in the water level of streams and rivers, particularly in vulnerable hill districts.
Advisory for Tourists
Tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel to landslide-prone areas, refrain from venturing near rivers, streams and waterfalls, and check road and weather updates before undertaking journeys
. Those travelling to hill stations are urged to follow local administration advisories and avoid night travel during periods of intense rainfall.
Advisory for Farmers
The IMD has advised farmers to postpone irrigation and avoid spraying pesticides or fertilizers during the rainy spell.
Horticulturists and vegetable growers have been asked to ensure proper drainage in orchards and fields to prevent waterlogging, support fruit-laden trees against strong winds, and closely monitor crops for fungal diseases that often spread during prolonged wet conditions.
Livestock owners have also been urged to keep animals in safe shelters and avoid grazing in flood-prone areas until weather conditions improve.
