4-day yellow warning: Mercury likely to be below normal 

The inclement weather condition has extended further in the North Western Himalayan region as the Indian Meteorological Department forecast the next five days’ long yellow alert owing to fresh western disturbances in Himachal Pradesh and other North Indian states. It would also give major respite from scorching and sweltering heat waves in the plain as night temperature may plummet below normal which is already staying two to three degrees below normal in the state.

The IMD forecast for the next five days states that it would bring thunderstorm lightning in plain and mid hills of the state and rain accompanied by hailstone and snowfall on the high reaches. The inclement weather along with hailstone may cause damage to standing crops, fruits, and new plants. The Apple growers are advised to use anti-hail nets over the crops and install the antihailguns wherever possible. The IMD also cautioned people to follow guidelines issued by the concerned department to ensure adequate safety measures.

The forecast was made by the IMD that owing to WDs light to moderate rainfall and snowfall at a few places are likely to occur from April 26 to 29 and light to moderate rain and thundershower are likely to occur in the next 24 hrs in mid and high reaches. In low hills light to moderate rain or thunder showers are likely to occur at isolated places during the new five days.

All Hotel and Homestay owners are also requested to advise their guests to follow the yellow alert and return to their halt without putting them in danger. Currently, the Manali- Leh Highway is opened up to Darcha and now vehicles are allowed to go beyond the Darcha. Similarly, Tandi -Killar Road is also open for vehicular traffic. The BRO, Lahaul District Administration would issue an update weather advisory following the upcoming western disturbances.

Issuing a weather alert to climbers, tourists, and commuters, the Lahaul Spiti district administration said that all types of Local (resident of Lahaul & Spiti) vehicles are allowed to enter the District via Atal Tunnel Rohtang (and vice versa) without any restrictions of timing.  Except two wheelers all types of Tourist vehicles are allowed to enter the district from 0930 to 1600 hrs up to Darcha only without any restrictions and day Tourists are to return by 1700 hrs.

There is a chill in the state as night temperature is keeping two to three degrees below normal due to recent inclement weather and partly cloudy sky in the state. The minimum temperature of Keylong in Lahaul Spiti district was recorded minus 0.1 degrees(three degrees below normal) Kalpa (Kinnuar) and tourist resort Narkanda five, Manali 7, Kufri eight, Shimla 10, Dalhousie 11, Bhuntar airport(Kullu) 11, Jubbarhatti airport 12.5,  Dharamshala 14.2,  Una 14.5, Nahan (Sirmaur)17, Kangra 15, Mandi 13.5, Bilaspur 16, Hamirpur 14 and  Chamba 12, and Paonta Sahib(Sirmaur) 19 degrees respectively.