The south-west monsoon, which was active in Himachal Pradesh for more than three months, bid farewell on Wednesday. The Meteorological Department has officially announced the departure of monsoon from entire Himachal. The normal date of departure of monsoon in the state is considered to be 25th September. This time the monsoon has departed one week late. Last year, the departure of monsoon took place on October 6.
Rainfall reduced by 18 percent
Kuldeep Srivastava, Director of Meteorological Center, Shimla, while confirming the departure of monsoon, said that there has been 18 percent less rainfall than normal in the monsoon season. Below normal monsoon rainfall was recorded in the months of June, July and August while above normal rainfall was recorded in the month of September. Monsoon had hit the state on June 27.
Monsoon was kind in September
He said that during the monsoon, the state recorded 600.9 mm rainfall, while 734.4 mm rainfall was considered normal. There was 54 percent less rainfall than normal in June. Similarly, there was 29 percent less rainfall than normal in July and five percent less than normal rainfall in August. Monsoon was kind in September and there was four percent more rainfall than normal. He said that during the entire monsoon season, excessive rainfall was recorded in Dharamshala on July 6, Palampur on August 1 and Dhaula Kuan on September 26.
Below normal rainfall in six districts
He said six districts received less than normal rainfall. These include Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Hamirpur, Una, Solan and Chamba districts. Lahaul Spiti received 70 percent less rainfall than normal. Shimla, Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu, Kangra and Bilaspur districts received normal monsoon rainfall.
Weather will worsen in hilly areas from October 5
Even after the departure of monsoon, there are chances of rain in the state. According to the forecast issued by Meteorological Center Shimla, the weather will remain clear in the plains till October 8. Similarly, there will be sunshine in the hilly areas till October 4. There is a possibility of rain in the hilly areas from October 5 to October 8. Due to this, people in the state will have to face mild cold.
342 people lost their lives in monsoon season
Monsoon wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh this time too and devastation was seen at many places. More than 100 incidents of cloud burst, floods and landslides left many people in the throes of death. 203 houses, 67 shops and 537 cattle sheds were completely destroyed during the monsoon season. 574 houses were partially damaged. 342 people lost their lives in rain-related accidents. Of these, 150 people died in road accidents. In 101 incidents of cloudburst, floods and landslides, 37 people died and 33 are still missing. According to the report of the State Emergency Operation Center, the monsoon has caused a loss of Rs 1360 crore in the state. The Public Works Department suffered the maximum loss of Rs 633 crore.
