Shimla — Weather conditions are expected to become more unsettled across parts of Himachal Pradesh from September 25, with cloudy skies and spells of light rain likely in several hill areas. However, contrary to reports of a yellow alert for heavy rain from September 26 to 28, the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning issued on September 23 does not currently list any warning for Himachal Pradesh on those dates.
According to the latest IMD subdivision-wise warning, Himachal Pradesh has no weather warning for September 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 or 28. The same bulletin also does not indicate a heavy-rain warning for September 29. This means the current official forecast does not support describing September 26–28 as yellow-alert days for heavy rainfall.
Rain activity may increase from September 25
While there is no heavy-rain alert at present, IMD’s location-specific forecasts point towards a change in weather from September 25.
For Shimla, the IMD forecast indicates generally cloudy conditions with light rain on September 25, 26, 27 and 28. The forecast maximum temperature is around 25°C on September 25 and 24°C on September 26–27, before rising slightly to around 25°C on September 28. No warning is currently attached to these forecasts.
Manali is also expected to see a change from the comparatively clear weather prevailing earlier in the week. IMD has forecast generally cloudy skies with light rain on September 25, followed by partly cloudy conditions on September 26–28. Again, the current city forecast carries no warning for these dates.
In Dharamshala, temperatures are expected to remain comparatively warm, with the possibility of light rain or thunderstorms from September 25 through September 28. The current IMD forecast, however, also carries no warning for these dates.
September 24: largely stable conditions
For September 24, the latest forecasts indicate partly cloudy conditions in several parts of the state. Shimla is expected to remain partly cloudy with temperatures around 15°C to 25°C, while Manali is forecast to remain partly cloudy with temperatures around 11°C to 24°C.
The broader weather picture therefore suggests a gradual increase in cloud cover and isolated rain activity rather than the onset of a widespread heavy-rain spell from September 24 itself.
What about the Western Disturbance?
The reference to a Western Disturbance needs some qualification. Western Disturbances are weather systems that generally travel eastward across the northern part of the Indian subcontinent and can influence weather over the western Himalayas.
For the present spell, however, the latest official IMD warning does not indicate a heavy-rain event over Himachal Pradesh on September 26–28. Forecasts can change as weather systems evolve, so any subsequent update from the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, could alter the warning status.
For residents and tourists, the practical message at present is therefore one of caution rather than alarm: cloudy weather and spells of light rain are possible from September 25, but there is currently no IMD yellow alert for heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh for September 26–28.
Weather outlook for key tourist areas
Shimla is likely to experience cloudy conditions and light rain between September 25 and 28, while Manali may see light rain around September 25 and variable cloud cover over the following three days. Dharamshala has a possibility of light rain or thunderstorms during the same period.
Tourists travelling to higher reaches should nevertheless monitor the latest local forecasts, particularly if planning road journeys or outdoor activities. Mountain weather can change rapidly, and conditions at higher elevations may differ considerably from forecasts for valley towns.
For now, the most accurate assessment based on the latest official information is that Himachal Pradesh is likely to see a spell of increased cloud and light rain activity from September 25, but the reported September 26–28 yellow alert for heavy rain has not been confirmed by the latest IMD bulletin.
