As intense monsoon rains hit Himachal Pradesh for the third consecutive year, experts, including scientists and environmentalists, are sounding the alarm over the increasing frequency of high-intensity rainfall events. They attribute this worrying trend to a dangerous mix of global warming, delayed western disturbances, and shifting monsoonal systems.
This concern became more pronounced following an early morning incident on Thursday, when a massive deodar tree fell onto the Environment Directorate building in the US Club area of Shimla. The tree, which had been leaning dangerously due to continuous rainfall, uprooted around 5:30 AM. The collapse caused partial damage to the building’s roof and entrance gate, but fortunately, there were no casualties.
Dr. Suresh Kumar Atri, a senior scientist on climate change at the State Science and Technology and Environment Directorate, told ANI that the incident is a direct consequence of prolonged, intense rainfall, and a sign of shifting climate patterns. “The tree had been leaning for several days, especially after the continuous rains,” he explained. “We had already informed the Municipal Corporation about the situation. This morning, around 5:30 AM, the tree fell, damaging the building’s roof and gate. Thankfully, there were no casualties. Had this happened during the day, it could have been disastrous.”
Atri emphasized that incidents like this are becoming more frequent due to global warming and disruptions in weather systems. “Global warming is the root cause,” he said. “It’s leading to high-intensity rainfall events, not just in Himachal, but across the entire region. If these conditions persist, we are likely to face even greater threats in the future.”
He also addressed the common misunderstanding about “cloudbursts,” explaining that the term does not refer to a literal explosion of clouds, as many believe. “A cloudburst refers to high-intensity rainfall in a short time over a small area. For example, if 100 mm of rain falls within an hour over 10-20 square kilometers, it qualifies as a cloudburst. In a place like Shimla, this amount of rain could lead to flash floods, overwhelming drainage systems and natural outlets.”
Dr. Atri warned that these extreme rainfall events are not isolated to specific regions. “High-intensity rainfall can occur anywhere, at any time,” he said. “In 2023, similar patterns caused devastating flash floods in Mandi and parts of Uttarakhand, wiping out entire villages. The damage in Himachal Pradesh alone exceeded ₹10,000 crores last year.”
He added that, so far this year, the state has already experienced over ₹3,000 crore in damages, and the monsoon season is still ongoing.
The scientist further explained the role of warming in the Arabian Sea and disturbed western disturbance patterns in exacerbating extreme weather. “The Arabian Sea has been warming, which affects the western disturbances that bring rain. When these disturbances interact with the monsoon, particularly in a delayed manner, the result is intense rainfall, landslides, and floods. This dangerous combination caused widespread destruction last year, and it is repeating again.”
Dr. Atri called for immediate action to manage watersheds better and to protect natural drainage systems. “We must keep water channels and watersheds clear to ensure water can flow without obstruction. People should stay away from rivers and streams during heavy rainfall,” he advised.
Although the incident at the Environment Directorate building did not result in fatalities, it serves as yet another reminder of the growing environmental vulnerabilities faced by Himalayan states. As monsoon patterns continue to evolve under the influence of climate change, scientists are urging both the public and authorities to stay alert and take proactive steps to adapt to this new climate reality.
