Himachal Pradesh gets highest October rain in two decades

This is the highest October rainfall since 2005. The all-time record for October remains 413.5 mm, logged in 1955, the IMD said in its statement released on Friday.

Among districts, Sirmaur received the most rainfall at 96.9 mm, followed by Kangra with 95.4 mm and Solan with 93.7 mm. Kinnaur reported the least rainfall at 37.6 mm. Bilaspur saw the sharpest positive deviation—613% above the norm—while Kinnaur had the lowest at 66%.

Most of the rainfall occurred in the first week of October, particularly on October 7 and 8, when the state witnessed vigorous weather conditions. Extremely heavy downpours were reported at Naina Devi in Bilaspur (132.6 mm) and Solan (119.6 mm). Other significant readings included Wangtoo in Kinnaur (88 mm), Kheri in Chamba (79 mm), Pachhad in Sirmaur (78.2 mm), and Kasauli in Solan (68 mm).

The IMD noted that rainfall was normal on six days—October 1, 3, 5, 9, 22, and 24—active on one day (October 6), and vigorous on two days (October 7 and 8). The rest of the month remained largely dry.

All 12 districts in Himachal Pradesh registered “large excess precipitation” during October, the report stated.

Looking ahead, the forecast indicates the possibility of light rain or snowfall at isolated locations on November 4 and a few areas on November 5. Dry weather is expected across the state for the remainder of the week.

The report was issued by the Meteorological Centre in Shimla under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.