Himachal Records 39% Excess Rainfall During Monsoon, Losses Exceed ₹4,881 Crore

This year’s monsoon brought widespread devastation to Himachal Pradesh, with the state recording 39% above-normal rainfall between June 1 and September 30. According to the Meteorological Department, Himachal received 1,022.5 mm of rainfall, compared to the normal average of 734.4 mm.

The excessive rain caused widespread destruction, resulting in losses of more than ₹4,881 crore. The season saw 47 cloudbursts, 98 flash floods, and 148 major landslides, claiming 454 lives.

A report from the Meteorological Centre stated that the southwest monsoon entered the state on June 20 and withdrew on September 26. Over the past 29 years, the earliest onset of the monsoon was on June 9, 2000, while the latest was on July 5, 2010. The earliest withdrawal was recorded on September 18, 2001, and the latest on October 11, 2019.

This year’s total of 1,022.5 mm ranked as the 15th highest monsoon rainfall in the past 125 years, and the highest in 29 years. The all-time record for the period 1901–2025 was 1,314.6 mm in 1922.

Rainfall distribution this season was uneven: June saw 34% excess, August 68% excess, and September 71% excess, while July registered a 2% deficit. The state recorded 36 days of extremely heavy rainfall—four in June, eight in July, 15 in August, and nine in September.

Of the fatalities, 264 people died in rain-related incidents and 190 in road accidents. Another 498 were injured, and 50 remain missing, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre’s final report dated September 24. Nearly 9,230 houses were either completely or partially damaged.