Himachal set for heavy rain spell till August 15; multiple districts under orange, yellow alerts

Himachal rain

Himachal Pradesh is set to experience an extended spell of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next few days, with the State Meteorological Department issuing a series of orange and yellow alerts covering different districts through to August 15.

According to The Tribune, the fresh weather warnings, effective from August 11, forecast light to moderate showers interspersed with intense rainfall in several regions. Maximum temperatures are expected to dip by 2 degree Celsius to 3 degree Celsius, while minimum temperatures are likely to remain steady.

On August 11, an orange alert will be in force for isolated areas in Kangra, Chamba and Mandi, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is anticipated. Districts including Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Solan will be under a yellow alert for heavy rain at scattered locations.

The same three districts, Kangra, Chamba and Mandi, will remain in the orange zone on August 12 as well, while Una, Bilaspur and Sirmaur will be under yellow warnings, The Tribune reported. For August 13, orange alerts will be in effect in Kangra, Sirmaur and Mandi, with yellow alerts issued for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kullu and Shimla.

On August 14, warnings will extend to a broader swathe of the state, with an orange alert for Kangra, Kullu, Shimla, Sirmaur and Mandi, and yellow alerts for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan and Chamba.

The state has already witnessed varied rainfall intensities over the past day. The heaviest precipitation was recorded in Kangra at 68.4 mm, followed by Palampur with 52 mm. Other readings included Sarahan in Shimla district (25 mm), Dharamshala (16.8 mm), Kufri (11.2 mm), Bilaspur (10.4 mm), Kasauli (10 mm), Shimla (9 mm), Una (5.4 mm) and Mandi (4.4 mm).

Authorities have urged residents, particularly in high-risk zones, to stay vigilant. The recurring alerts underscore the state’s vulnerability to monsoon-related disruptions, with past downpours having caused significant damage to infrastructure and agriculture.