Himachal Pradesh, a state known for its scenic beauty and pleasant climate, has been experiencing an unusual weather pattern.
Summary
- Himachal Pradesh experienced its driest January in 20 years with no rainfall in January 2024.
- The state is under a cold dry spell causing biting cold wave conditions and dense fog.
- The state had a rain deficit of 45% during the post-monsoon season, 83% in December 2023, and 100% till January 8, 2024.
- The local Met Office predicts light rain and snow at isolated places and dense fog in the plains and foothills.
- High altitude areas are experiencing arctic conditions with temperatures 12 to 18 degrees below freezing point.
"With no rains in January 2024, the state has witnessed the driest January in the past two decades," Director of Shimla Meteorological Office, Surinder Paul, told PTI.
The state, which usually receives a fair amount of rainfall during this time, has seen a drastic change in its weather patterns. "In 2007, the rain deficit in the first eight days of January was 99 per cent," Paul added, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The prolonged dry spell has led to biting cold wave conditions across most parts of the state. The cold dry spell continued unabated, and dense fog disrupted normal life in the plains and lower hills of the state.
The state received 45 per cent deficit rains during the post-monsoon season from October 1 to December 31. The rain deficit was 83 per cent in December 2023, and a 100 per cent rain deficit has been recorded till January 8, 2024.
The impact of this dry spell is not just limited to the cold weather. Dense fog in six districts of Mandi, Bilaspur, Una, Kangra, Sirmaur (Paonta Sahib and Dhaula Kuan), and Solan (Baddi and Nalagarh) during the morning hours could have an impact on agriculture. The Met Office cautioned that this could result in cold injury and dead tissues (yellowing of tip), stunted growth, discolouration, and wilting.
Despite the current dry spell, the local Met Office has predicted light rain at isolated places in the lower and mid hills and light rain/snow at isolated places on January 9. They also predict dense fog in the plains and foothills.
The high altitude tribal areas and mountain passes groaned under arctic conditions with mercury staying 12 to 18 degrees below freezing point. All the natural sources of water like springs, lakes, rivulets, tributaries of snow-fed rivers, and a large stretch of the Chandrabhaga river have frozen, affecting the discharge of water in the rivers.
The minimum temperatures hovered around freezing point at most places, making it one of the coldest January in recent memory. As the state braces for more cold days ahead, the residents hope for a change in weather, bringing much-needed respite from the cold and dry spell.