Shimla, Feb 2 (Reporter) 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, while Kullu and Lahaul & Spiti recorded 76% and 77% deficient rainfall, respectively. Lahaul & Spiti, which received the highest precipitation at 23.3 mm, still fell far short of its normal levels. Una and Hamirpur were the hardest hit, with a staggering 95% rainfall deficit. The month saw only eight mild to light spells of rain and 18 spells of snowfall, but these were confined to isolated areas, leaving most of the state parched. The most significant rainfall activity occurred on January 12, 16, and 17, with fairly widespread rain on these days. However, the rest of the month remained predominantly dry, with weak weather activity on most days. Key stations like Pandoh, Tinder, and Gohar recorded some rainfall, but these were localized and insufficient to alleviate the overall deficit. Snowfall was also below normal, with sporadic activity in higher altitudes. Stations like Koksar, Gondla, and Bharmaur recorded significant snowfall on specific days, but these were exceptions rather than the norm. For instance, Koksar received 19.0 cm of snow on January 17, while Gondla recorded 12.0 cm on the same day. However, these isolated events did little to compensate for the overall lack of precipitation across the state. The prolonged dry spell and deficient rainfall have led to severe drought-like conditions, impacting agriculture, water resources, and daily life. The day temperatures remained above normal, exacerbating the dry conditions. The lack of moisture in the air and soil has raised concerns about water scarcity and its impact on the upcoming agricultural season. The IMD’s forecast for the first week of February offers little respite, with only light precipitation expected at isolated places on February 1 and 3, and light to moderate rain likely on February 4 and 5. The rest of the week is expected to remain dry, further compounding the state’s water woes. In summary, January 2025 was a month of extreme weather anomalies for Himachal Pradesh, with record-low rainfall and snowfall leading to widespread drought-like conditions. The state’s reliance on winter precipitation for its water needs makes this deficit particularly concerning, with potential long-term implications for agriculture, ecology, and water availability. The situation calls for urgent measures to mitigate the impact of this unprecedented dry spell and prepare for potential water shortages in the coming months...////...