Himachal Pradesh Records Driest October in 23 Years with Weak Rainfall Activity..

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh has just experienced its driest October in 23 years, as recorded by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in a recent report.

With rainfall a rare event this month, the state recorded a significant deficit, receiving only 0.7 mm of rain against an average of 25.1 mm.

This marks a sharp 97% reduction in rainfall, placing October 2024 as the third-lowest October rainfall recorded in the state’s history since 1901.

IMD noted that in stark contrast, the highest October rainfall for the state was recorded back in 1955, with 413.5 mm.

This October, however, proved to be a dry affair, especially in districts such as Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Sirmaur, Kullu, and Chamba, which received no rainfall at all.

Other districts, including Kangra, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti, saw only trace amounts, contributing to the overall large deficit.

The dryness extended statewide, with most days marked by weak or non-existent rainfall activity.

Sporadic showers and weak isolated precipitation on select days brought minor relief to some areas, with Una district being an exception, receiving 8.6 mm of rain.

However, most other districts recorded significantly low or zero rainfall, with some areas, like Kinnaur and Shimla, reporting deficits close to 99%.

The IMD report also highlighted that only minimal snow activity was observed in the higher altitudes, with Koksar in Lahaul-Spiti registering trace snowfall on October 9 and 0.6 cm the following day.

Looking ahead, IMD has forecasted a continued dry spell for the coming week across Himachal Pradesh, with no significant weather systems expected.

As winter approaches, the prolonged dry conditions could pose challenges, especially for agriculture and water resources, prompting calls for contingency planning to mitigate potential impacts.