Heavy overnight rains brought destruction to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, leaving many people dead and hundreds stranded. Meteorologists explained that the unusual downpour was caused by a violent clash between two different wind systems — dry westerly winds and moisture-filled easterly winds. This rare interaction of weather systems is expected to continue for another day, bringing more rainfall to the already soaked Himalayan states.
The rains caused floods, landslides, and property damage across both states. In Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, three members of a family lost their lives after flash floods submerged a bus stand. In Dehradun and nearby areas of Uttarakhand, at least five people were swept away, and more than 500 were stranded due to blocked roads and rising water levels. Rescue teams were deployed to bring people to safety.
Meteorologists explained that no major weather system like a depression or cyclonic circulation was present over the region. Instead, the unusual rains were a result of clashing wind patterns.
C. S. Tomar, head of the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) regional centre in Dehradun, said the rains occurred because of a confluence of dry westerly winds with moisture-laden easterly winds. “This interaction is strong and will continue for the next 24 hours,” he said.
Mahesh Palawat, vice president at private weather forecaster Skymet, said the violent showers were linked to an anti-cyclone near Rajasthan. The anti-cyclone generated warm and dry westerlies, which collided with humid easterlies moving into north India. “This clash between hot dry winds and moist winds created the conditions for intense rainfall,” Palawat explained.
Such interactions are not very common and can cause sudden heavy rain without warning. Officials said that while the IMD had issued heavy rain alerts, the scale of destruction was worse than expected.
The Himalayan states are already vulnerable to extreme rainfall because of their steep terrain, which causes water to rush down rapidly, often resulting in flash floods, landslides, and erosion. Experts warn that such weather interactions may become more frequent as climate patterns change.
This year’s monsoon has been particularly harsh across north India. Uttarakhand has received 1,343.2 mm of rainfall so far, which is 22 percent above normal. Himachal Pradesh has received 1,010.9 mm of rain — a 46 percent excess compared to the average. The surplus rain has already caused major damage in these hill states.
In Himachal alone, officials reported that 232 people have died this monsoon in rain-related incidents. The state has experienced 46 cloudbursts, 97 flash floods, and 140 landslides. These disasters have caused losses worth ₹4,504 crore. However, IMD has not officially confirmed the cloudburst figures yet.
Punjab, another north Indian state, faced its worst floods in decades earlier in the season. The repeated cloudbursts and flash floods in the Himalayas highlight the intensity of extreme weather events this monsoon.
The IMD said the southwest monsoon began withdrawing from northwest India on September 14, three days earlier than normal. The withdrawal has already extended to parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab. However, despite the withdrawal, some regions are still witnessing heavy downpours due to active western disturbances and the clash of wind systems.
Across India, rainfall has been uneven. Central India has recorded 1,002 mm of rainfall so far, which is 10 percent above the normal 906.8 mm. The southern peninsula also saw 7 percent above normal rainfall at 676.9 mm. On the other hand, east and northeast India recorded 998.8 mm of rainfall, which is 19 percent below the normal 1,233.9 mm.
In May, the IMD had forecast a “normal” monsoon with 106 percent of the long-period average rainfall of 87 cm for the June–September season. Rainfall between 96 and 104 percent of this average is considered normal. The forecast turned out to be accurate, but the distribution of rainfall has been highly uneven, with some states receiving excess rain and others facing a deficit.
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The impact of these heavy rains is being felt most severely in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where roads have been blocked, rivers are overflowing, and many villages remain cut off. Rescue teams have been deployed to evacuate people and restore essential services.
In Mandi, flash floods damaged infrastructure and swept away vehicles, while in Dehradun, many families were forced to take shelter in schools and community halls. Local authorities have warned residents to stay away from rivers and landslide-prone areas as more rainfall is expected.
Meteorologists say the next 24 hours are crucial, as the violent interaction between easterlies and westerlies could continue to bring heavy showers. With the soil already saturated and rivers in spate, even moderate rain could trigger fresh floods and landslides.
For residents of Himachal and Uttarakhand, the season has been one of fear and uncertainty. While many are used to monsoon rains, the intensity and frequency of extreme events this year have left people anxious. For now, their hope lies in the quick work of rescue teams and the weather clearing in the days to come.
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