Himachal sees third driest October since 1901

Himachal Pradesh received the third lowest rain this October in the past 124 years. Against the normal rainfall of 25.1mm in October, the state received only 0.7 mm this year, which amounts to 97 per cent deficiency. Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Sirmaur, Kullu and Chamba districts have received no rainfall last month.

Incidentally, the two occasions when even lesser precipitation was recorded than this October, occurred in the past 10 years. While October 2017 saw 99 per cent deficiency, the rain in October 2020, was minus 98 per cent less than normal. Ever since 2010, October has received less than normal rainfall every year, barring three occasions.

In October 2021, 107 per cent more than normal rainfall was recorded. So far, the highest rainfall in October (413.5 mm) was recorded in 1955.

In the entire month, isolated spells of light rainfall were recorded only on six days; the weather on remaining days was totally dry. Light snowfall was also recorded at Koksar on October 9-10. As per the weather department, dry weather is likely to prevail in the state over the next one week.