Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source Internet
Heatwave breaks in Himachal as thunderstorms, rain lash Shimla and hill districts
Shimla, May 22
The scorching extreme heatwave that had gripped several parts of the foothills and mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh gave major respite on Friday as partly cloudy to overcast conditions prevailed in the morning and summer showers accompanied by cold winds and thunderstorms lashed many parts of the state in the afternoon.
The state also recorded light to moderate spells of rain and thunderstorms at many places in the early morning hours.
The Himachal Pradesh Meteorological Centre recorded around 9 mm rainfall at Jot in Chamba district, Kukumseri 6.8 mm, Keylong 5 mm, Dharamshala and Chamba 2 mm each, Bhuntar 1.6 mm, while Dehra Gopipur, Palampur in Kangra district and Una also received 1.4 mm rainfall. There were reports of thunderstorms and lightning in Sundernagar, Kangra, Kullu, Manali, Jot and Bhuntar airport areas.
Shimla and its adjoining areas were also lashed by moderate downpour along with windstorms in the morning, which suddenly brought down the mercury by several degrees below normal. The IMD has forecast rain or thunderstorms at a few places in Himachal Pradesh today and at scattered places tomorrow. An orange alert for hailstorms has also been issued for today and tomorrow. A yellow warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 40 to 50 kmph is likely at isolated places during the next two days.
Also read:IMD signals relief from intense heatwave, forecasts early monsoon onset
The unexpected pre-monsoon showers brought major relief from the sizzling heatwave in the state. The maximum temperature in Shimla was recorded at 30.5 degrees Celsius, about five degrees above normal. There is a general belief that whenever the maximum temperature in Shimla crosses 30 degrees, it is followed by soothing summer showers. Since the temperature in Shimla town had remained at 30.5 degrees during the last two days and stayed five degrees above normal on Friday, heavy squall and rain lashed the Mall Road and nearby areas, forcing tourists to bring out warm clothes amid the shivering weather.
As the state authorities had issued an orange alert for heatwave conditions during the last two days, the fresh spell of inclement weather helped contain the sweltering conditions in the state. One of the unique features of this summer season has been the comparatively fewer incidents of forest fires, as the state received several spells of rain during early May and the end of April.
The minimum temperature in Shimla was recorded at 20.4 degrees Celsius today, which was 4.6 degrees above normal. Bhuntar and Jubbarhatti airport recorded 17.4 degrees and 22.4 degrees respectively, one to two degrees above normal. Tourist resort Manali recorded 16 degrees, Keylong 7.7 degrees and Kalpa 22.8 degrees, which was five degrees above normal.
Night temperatures in Una, Kangra, Solan, Bilaspur, Chamba and Dalhousie were recorded at 20.2 degrees, 23.2 degrees, 19 degrees, 24 degrees, 18.9 degrees and 12.9 degrees respectively. Tourist resort Kufri recorded 15 degrees. Paonta Sahib registered a night temperature of 27 degrees. Kukumseri in Lahaul-Spiti remained the coldest place in the state at 5.7 degrees Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department has also sounded a yellow alert for heatwave conditions on May 25 and 26, though no warning has been issued for the next two days. The state is likely to witness light drizzle at isolated places during this period.
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