Southwest monsoon reaches Himachal Pradesh, four days behind schedule
Synopsis
The southwest monsoon reached Himachal Pradesh on 30 June — four days behind its normal schedule and a full ten days later than last year's arrival. With over 80 per cent of the state's farming rainfed and heavy rainfall alerts issued for multiple districts through 4 July, the delayed but now-active monsoon carries high stakes for Himachal's agricultural and horticultural economy.
Key Takeaways
The southwest monsoon arrived in Himachal Pradesh on 30 June , four days behind its normal onset date of 26 June .
Last year, the monsoon had reached the state on 20 June — 10 days earlier than this year.
Districts covered include Kinnaur (fully), most of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti , and parts of Shimla, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Kangra .
Heavy to very heavy rainfall alerts are in place for multiple districts through 4 July , with peak intensity on 2–3 July .
Agriculture provides direct employment to 69% of Himachal's population; more than 80% of farming activities are rainfed .
Temperatures expected to drop by 2–3 degrees Celsius after the next three to four days.
The southwest monsoon arrived in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, 30 June, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Shimla office — marking a four-day delay from its normal onset date of 26 June. Last year, the monsoon had advanced into the state as early as 20 June.
Districts Covered So Far
As of Tuesday, the monsoon has covered the entire Kinnaur district, most parts of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts, many parts of Shimla and Mandi districts, and some parts of Sirmaur and Kangra districts. The IMD said conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance over the remaining parts of the state within the next two to three days.
Rainfall Forecast Through July 4
The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, with isolated heavy to very heavy spells, across many parts of the low hills and adjoining mid hills of Himachal Pradesh through 4 July. Peak intensity is expected on 2 and 3 July.
District-wise, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Kangra on 2 July; over Una, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur on 3 July; and over Kangra, Mandi, and Shimla on 4 July. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are also likely at isolated places across Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, and Kullu districts through 4 July.
Why the Monsoon Matters for Himachal
Agriculture is the primary livelihood for Himachal Pradesh's population, providing direct employment to 69 per cent of residents. Critically, more than 80 per cent of the state's horticultural and agricultural activities are rainfed — meaning the timing and intensity of the monsoon directly determines crop outcomes for millions of farmers and horticulturists.
This year's delayed onset, coming four days after the climatological normal, has been a source of concern for the farming community, particularly apple and vegetable growers in mid and high hill zones who depend on timely pre-harvest moisture.
Temperature Outlook
The IMD said no large change in minimum or maximum temperatures is expected over the next three to four days. Thereafter, temperatures are likely to fall by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius as the monsoon consolidates its grip over the state.
With the monsoon now active and heavy-rainfall alerts in place for multiple districts, authorities are expected to remain on alert for potential flooding and landslide risks in vulnerable zones through the first week of July.
Point of View
But in Himachal Pradesh — where more than 80 per cent of agriculture is rainfed — every missed day of monsoon moisture compounds risk for apple growers and vegetable farmers in mid-hill zones. What mainstream coverage often skips is the year-on-year variability: this year's 30 June arrival is a full ten days later than 2024's 20 June onset, a gap that matters enormously for pre-harvest crop cycles. The IMD's district-level heavy-rainfall alerts through 4 July also signal a compressed, intense onset rather than a gradual advance — a pattern increasingly associated with flash flood and landslide risk in the fragile Himalayan terrain. The real story here is not just the delay, but what an abrupt, heavy-rainfall onset means for a state still rebuilding from last monsoon season's infrastructure damage.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the southwest monsoon arrive in Himachal Pradesh in 2025?
The southwest monsoon reached Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, 30 June 2025, according to the IMD Shimla office. This is four days later than its normal onset date of 26 June and ten days later than last year's arrival on 20 June.
Which districts of Himachal Pradesh has the monsoon covered so far?
As of 30 June, the monsoon has covered the entire Kinnaur district, most of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti, many parts of Shimla and Mandi, and some parts of Sirmaur and Kangra. The IMD expects it to advance over remaining parts within two to three days.
What rainfall is forecast for Himachal Pradesh through July 4?
The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy spells through 4 July, with peak intensity on 2 and 3 July. Thunderstorms with gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are also likely across several districts.
Why does the monsoon delay matter for Himachal Pradesh?
Agriculture directly employs 69 per cent of Himachal Pradesh's population, and more than 80 per cent of farming and horticultural activity in the state is rainfed. A delayed monsoon onset can disrupt crop cycles, particularly for apple and vegetable growers dependent on timely moisture.
Will temperatures change in Himachal Pradesh after the monsoon arrives?
The IMD expects no major temperature change over the next three to four days, after which minimum and maximum temperatures are likely to fall by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius as the monsoon consolidates over the state.
