Shimla, Jan 2 (UNI) December 2025 turned out to be one of the driest months on record in Himachal Pradesh, with the state receiving a mere 0.1 mm rainfall, reflecting a 99 per cent deficit against the normal of 38.1 mm.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this makes December 2025 the sixth lowest rainfall month since 1901, underlining the severity of dry conditions witnessed across the hill state.
Weather remained predominantly dry on almost every day of December, barring three days of isolated and weak precipitation on December 22, 30 and 31.
For the rest of the month, daily weather charts consistently recorded “dry” conditions, with only weak atmospheric activity offering little relief.
With 100 per cent drought, Eleven districts recorded zero rainfall, while Lahaul-Spiti was the lone district to receive measurable precipitation at 0.6 mm, still categorised as large deficient.
The prolonged dryness was accompanied by winter extremes. Dense to very dense fog affected Una, Bilaspur and Mandi on several days, while severe cold day conditions were reported in Una on December 20 and 31. Cold wave conditions prevailed in parts of Una and Hamirpur during the final week of the year, and ground frost was observed at isolated places in Shimla district early in the month .
From a seasonal perspective, the post-monsoon period (October–December 2025) presented a mixed picture. While October recorded large excess rainfall with a surplus of 173 per cent due to multiple active western disturbances, November and December were sharply deficient, dragging the overall post-monsoon rainfall to 69.7 mm, about 16 per cent below normal. This places 2025 as the 58th lowest post-monsoon rainfall year since 1901 .
Meteorologists caution that such prolonged dry spells in early winter can impact soil moisture, water sources and the rabi crop cycle. The IMD has forecast light rain or snowfall at a few places on January 1 and 2, followed by another spell of dry weather, indicating that the winter precipitation deficit may persist into the new year.
