Monsoon retreats from HP, longest delayed withdrawal in 37 years

The southwest monsoon retreated from Himachal Pradesh on Friday, marking the longest delayed withdrawal from the hill state in 37 years, the meteorological department said.

Monsoon usually lasts for four months, from July 1 to September 30.

Monsoon withdrew from Himachal Pradesh on October 11. This is its most delayed withdrawal from the state since 1982, said Shimla Meteorological Centre director Manmohan Singh.

Himachal Pradesh recorded 685.5 mm of rainfall during this monsoon season. This is 10 per cent below the normal long period average (LPA), he said.

In 2013, monsoon withdrew from most parts of Himachal Pradesh on September 29, but it retreated from the eastern parts, including Kinnaur district and parts of Solan, Shimla and Sirmaur districts, on October 16, Singh said.

In 2018, monsoon withdrew from the state on October 1. The state had recorded 927.1 mm of rainfall, which was 12 per cent more than the LPA, he said.

Himachal Pradesh witnessed a dry weather on Friday, Singh said.

Tribal district Lahaul-Spiti's administrative centre Keylong was the coldest place with a minimum temperature of 2 degrees Celsius and Una was the hottest with a high of 32.5 degrees Celsius.