Himachal Pradesh, a hill state in northern India, has been severely impacted by heavy rains and cloudbursts in recent weeks. The southwest monsoon, which arrived in Kerala on May 30, reached Himachal Pradesh on June 27, bringing with it torrential downpours. The state has since witnessed 51 cloudbursts and flash floods, leading to the tragic loss of 31 lives and leaving 33 people missing, according to the state Emergency Operation Centre.
The relentless rains have inflicted massive damage on Himachal Pradesh, with estimated losses exceeding ₹1,140 crore. Road infrastructure has been particularly affected, with the Public Works Department reporting losses of ₹502 crore. The Jal Shakti Department and the horticulture department have also suffered significant damage, with losses of ₹469 crore and ₹139 crore, respectively.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted widespread rainfall in Himachal Pradesh throughout the week, with heavy rainfall anticipated from August 19 to 21. The local meteorological office has issued a ‘yellow’ alert for heavy rains in isolated areas of the state until August 21.
Himachal Pradesh, due to its fragile ecology, is susceptible to a range of natural disasters, including flash floods, landslides, and cloudbursts. Last year, the state experienced at least 65 cloudburst incidents, resulting in the deaths of 43 people and the destruction of over 300 structures, including homes, schools, and government buildings. The cloudbursts also caused damage to foot and motor bridges, vehicles, and hydro power projects.
Cloudbursts are extreme weather events characterized by intense rainfall over a short period within a small area. Their frequency has increased globally due to climate change. In mountainous regions like Himachal Pradesh, several factors contribute to cloudbursts: wind patterns, mountain heights, and high levels of moisture in the atmosphere.
Flash floods, often triggered by cloudbursts, occur when rivers overflow due to excessive water flow caused by erosion and silting of riverbeds. Landslides can obstruct water flow, further exacerbating the situation.
In contrast to the heavy rains experienced in Himachal Pradesh, Pune and its surrounding areas have witnessed medium to heavy precipitation over the past two days. The showers, accompanied by thunder and lightning, are atypical for this time of year and are attributed to high day time temperatures and moisture in the air. The IMD has forecast mild to medium rain in various parts of Pune for the next three to four days.
While August has generally been dry in Pune, the city has received 1017.4mm of rainfall since the beginning of the monsoon season (June-September), exceeding the normal rainfall of 687.7mm. Overall, India has experienced 3% above-normal precipitation this monsoon season, with a total rainfall of 632.5mm.
