Shimla, Sept. 1 -- Continuous heavy rains over the past few weeks have thrown life out of gear in Himachal Pradesh, with the state witnessing one of the heaviest rainfalls in August in more than a century.

According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this August, Himachal Pradesh saw 68 per cent more rainfall than normal across the state, making it the 9th-highest August rainfall since 1901 and the highest since 1949.

The IMD data shows that since 1901, only four August months have seen such high rainfall in Himachal Pradesh. This year's August rainfall ranks as the 9th highest overall for the month since records began, and the highest since 1949.

District-wise, Kullu recorded the maximum excess in August at 165 pe...