Shimla, July 26: Even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast an active monsoon spell over Himachal Pradesh, much of the Shimla apple belt remained largely dry on Saturday, contrary to expectations of widespread rainfall.
The relatively calm weather allowed orchard operations and apple harvesting to continue uninterrupted across several growing areas.
However, meteorologists caution that the real test will begin from July 27 onward, as a depression over the north-west Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify and interact with a western disturbance, potentially triggering a fresh spell of heavy rain across the western Himalayas.
According to the IMD, the depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to strengthen into a deep depression before crossing the Odisha-West Bengal coast on July 27.
Thereafter, moisture from the system, combined with an active monsoon and an approaching western disturbance, is expected to enhance rainfall over north India, including Himachal Pradesh.
The weather office has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall in Himachal Pradesh between July 26 and August 1, with heavy rain likely on July 26-27 and August 1, while the most intense spell, including very heavy rainfall at isolated places, is expected between July 28 and July 31.
Yellow alerts have also been issued for several districts, including Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Sirmaur, Solan and Chamba.
The forecast comes at a crucial stage of the apple season, with harvesting underway in Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Mandi, Chamba, Kangra, Solan and Sirmaur. Farmers are hoping that rainfall remains moderate, as prolonged heavy showers during harvesting can affect fruit quality, transport and orchard operations.
Tourists visiting Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Kasol, Kinnaur, Spiti Valley, Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Chamba, as well as those travelling on the Leh-Manali Highway towards Ladakh, have also been advised to monitor weather updates closely. Heavy rain could trigger landslides, flash floods and temporary road closures in vulnerable mountain stretches.
