Himachal Pradesh Faces Severe Drought Conditions as December Records Historic Dry Spell
Dry Spell Breaks but Drought Persists
Pallavi Sharma
DHARAMSHALA: After enduring a dry spell lasting over two and a half months, parts of Himachal Pradesh have finally begun to see some precipitation this week. However, the state is still grappling with near-drought conditions. As the New Year unfolds, many regions that typically showcase a blanket of snow during this season remain stark and barren, highlighting the significant deficit in rainfall and snowfall.
Light Snowfall and Rain Offer Brief Relief
On Thursday, light snowfall was observed in high-altitude regions such as Rohtang Pass, the Dhauladhar range, Atal Tunnel, and parts of Lahaul-Spiti. Meanwhile, the plains of Bilaspur and Una experienced light rain, providing a momentary respite from the biting cold and dryness. The Meteorological Department has predicted clear skies and bright sunshine for the next five days, with Friday already showcasing sunny weather across the state.
Record Dryness in December
Official statistics reveal that December 2025 has been recorded as one of the driest months in over a century, emphasizing the escalating water crisis in the hilly region.
December Among the Driest in 124 Years
Meteorological data indicates that Himachal Pradesh received a mere 0.1 mm of rainfall in December 2025, marking it as the sixth driest December since 1901. Typically, the state averages around 38.1 mm of rain during this month, but this year’s figures were a staggering 99% below normal.
Previous years with no rainfall in December include 1902, 1907, 1925, 1939, and 1993, while the wettest December on record was in 1929, with 176 mm of rain.
According to the weather office, only three days in December experienced scattered rainfall, leaving the majority of the month dry. Except for Lahaul-Spiti, which faced a 99% deficit, the other 11 districts saw virtually no rain.
Concerns Among Farmers and Orchardists
The extended absence of post-monsoon rainfall has raised alarms among farmers and apple growers, as well as regarding drinking water supplies. From October 1 to December 31, Himachal Pradesh recorded 69.7 mm of rain against a normal of 82.9 mm, resulting in a 16% deficit. While October experienced a 173% surplus, November saw a 95% shortfall, and December faced a massive 99% deficit.
Experts caution that ongoing dryness could adversely affect winter crops, chill-hour accumulation for apple orchards, and the replenishment of natural springs, thereby increasing the likelihood of drought-like conditions in the upcoming months.
Weather Conditions and Forecast
In the last 24 hours, minimum temperatures remained relatively stable, although some areas experienced a drop of 2-4 degrees Celsius. The coldest temperature was recorded at Tabo in Lahaul-Spiti at minus 6.8°C, while the highest maximum temperature reached 20.3°C at Bajaura in Kullu.
On Thursday, Kasol in Solan district received 16.2 mm of rain, followed by Karsog (5.1 mm), Jogindernagar (5.0 mm), Naina Devi (4.6 mm), Baggi (3.6 mm), Pandoh (3.5 mm), Salooni (2.3 mm), and Una (2.2 mm). Dharamshala also experienced light rainfall. In higher elevations, Koksar in Lahaul-Spiti reported 10.1 cm of snowfall, while Shilaroo (2 cm) and Jot (0.5 cm) saw light snow. Snow flurries were also noted in Kufri, Keylong, and Narkanda.
The Meteorological Department has forecast clear weather from January 2 to 6 but has issued a yellow alert for fog and cold wave conditions in various parts of the state, even as hopes for widespread snowfall remain low.