Shimla, Feb. 2 -- Himachal Pradesh faced one of its driest January months in over six decades, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) revealing an alarming 84% rainfall deficit.
The state received a meager 13.3 mm of rainfall against the normal average of 85.3 mm, marking
the ninth lowest January rainfall since 1901.
The driest January on record remains 1966, with a paltry 0.3 mm of rainfall. This year's severe shortfall has plunged the state into drought-like conditions, despite a few isolated spells of rain and snowfall.
The rainfall distribution was highly uneven, with all districts recording significant deficits. Five districts-Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Kangra, and Solan-received less than 90% of their normal rainfall, whil...