Shimla: As Himachal Pradesh enters the crucial pre-monsoon phase, the latest report from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) paints a mixed picture—good news for water availability in several districts, but also clear warning signs for farmers, orchardists and tourists as weather extremes become more frequent.
The state received 208.6 mm rainfall during the March-May pre-monsoon season, about 13 per cent below normal, making it the 62nd lowest pre-monsoon rainfall recorded in Himachal since 1901.
While the overall rainfall category remained "normal", the distribution was highly uneven across districts, highlighting growing weather variability.
Districts such as Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Una recorded excess to large excess rainfall, while Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba remained significantly rain-deficient.
Shimla alone received 291.5 mm rainfall, 42 per cent above normal, whereas Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti recorded deficits of 47 per cent and 45 per cent respectively.
For apple growers and farmers, the report is a reminder that weather volatility is becoming the new normal. May witnessed multiple hailstorm events, including four separate incidents in Shimla district. Thunderstorms and lightning were also reported across several mid-hill areas.
Heatwave conditions simultaneously affected Una, Bilaspur, Kangra, Solan, Shimla, Mandi and Sirmaur districts during the month.
Agriculture experts say farmers should closely monitor weather advisories, particularly orchardists whose crops remain vulnerable to hail, lightning and sudden heavy showers during the transition into the monsoon season.
Timely anti-hail protection measures, drainage management and disease surveillance will be critical in the coming weeks.
Tourists heading to the mountains have also been advised to exercise caution. Popular destinations such as Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Kinnaur and Chamba may witness rapid weather changes, including thunderstorms, slippery roads, falling rocks and reduced visibility.
Travelers should avoid venturing into riverbeds, streams and landslide-prone stretches during periods of rainfall.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain and snowfall at many places in Himachal on June 4 and 5, with rain likely at several locations on June 3 and 6 as well. Isolated precipitation is expected to continue through June 8.
The pre-monsoon report underscores a larger concern confronting Himalayan states: while total rainfall may appear near normal, its increasingly erratic distribution—marked by dry spells, heatwaves, hailstorms and short bursts of intense rainfall—is making farming, tourism and disaster management far more challenging.
With the southwest monsoon now approaching, authorities are urging residents, tourists and farmers alike to remain weather-aware, follow official advisories and prepare for sudden weather shifts that have become a defining feature of Himachal's changing climate.
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