Himachal Faces Monsoon Mayhem: Rainfall Surges Over 600% as Red Alerts Blanket the State
September 1 turned into a day of unprecedented rainfall and rising fear across Himachal Pradesh, as the state was lashed by 667% above-normal precipitation, triggering red alerts and warnings of flash floods, landslides, and travel disruptions.
The numbers are staggering. Solan recorded 138.7 mm of rain—a jaw-dropping 2251% above normal. Shimla saw 78.8 mm, marking a 1776% spike, while Bilaspur was drenched with 95 mm, a 1965% increase. Sirmaur, too, was hit hard with 155.1 mm, nearly 1406% above its usual average.
Other districts weren’t spared either. Hamirpur, Kinnaur, Una, Kullu, Mandi, Lahaul-Spiti, Kangra, and Chamba all reported rainfall far beyond seasonal norms. Even the cold desert of Lahaul-Spiti, typically dry, received 277% more rain than expected.
Authorities have issued red alerts for Bilaspur, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una, warning residents to brace for 16–18 hours of potential danger. With rivers swelling and slopes saturated, the risk of landslides and flooding is high—and the day’s rainfall totals may climb even further by midnight.
This deluge comes on the heels of August’s record-breaking rains, making this monsoon one of the most destructive in over 75 years. As Himachal grapples with nature’s fury, the focus now shifts to emergency preparedness, community safety, and infrastructure resilience.
