Shimla, May 19
In the past few days, the mercury in Himachal Pradesh has touched alarming levels. On Saturday, Shimla recorded a temperature of 30°C, close to its highest recorded May temperature of 32.4°C on May 27, 2010. Una sizzled at 43.6°C, nearing its record high of 45.2°C on May 23, 2013. Meanwhile, Neri experienced 44.1°C, although no previous records are available for this station.
<The state’s Meteorological Center in Shimla reported that seven locations experienced temperatures exceeding the 40-degree Celsius mark, with Una and Neri in Hamirpur recording the highest at a blistering 44 degrees Celsius on Sunday. This marks the peak temperature of the summer season so far.
Noteworthy that Himachal Pradesh like the rest of Noth India is experiencing an unprecedented heat wave, with temperatures soaring to record-breaking levels across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heat wave warning for several districts, including Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, Sirmaur, Kangra, and Shimla. This heat wave is expected to persist for the next four to five days.
The current heat wave is expected to continue in isolated pockets within the districts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, Sirmaur, Kangra, and Shimla for the next four to five days. There is also a possibility of a severe heat wave in specific areas of these districts, particularly in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan (Nalagarh, Baddi, Parwanoo), Sirmaur (Dhaulakuan, Paonta Sahib), and Kangra (Gaggal, Nurpur, Indora, Fatehpur, Dehra, Jaswan) and adjoining regions.
The foothills of the state are witnessing temperatures of 43 to 44°C, mid-hills are experiencing 35 to 40°C, and even high-altitude regions are seeing temperatures between 25 to 30°C. These extreme conditions are causing a surge in the number of tourists seeking refuge in the relatively cooler hill stations, though not everyone has the means or opportunity to escape the intense heat of the North Indian plains.
During this period, the average maximum temperatures in the state are expected to increase by 2 to 3°C, remaining significantly above normal. Similarly, average minimum temperatures for mid hills and low hills/plains are likely to rise by 2 to 3°C, while minimum temperatures for high hill areas may decrease by 1 to 2°C, staying around normal levels.
Himachal Pradesh’s ongoing heat wave is a severe weather event that calls for immediate and effective measures to safeguard public health. Residents and visitors are urged to follow the advisory to mitigate the effects of the sweltering temperatures. As the state endures this extreme weather, the government and health agencies are on high alert to provide necessary support and ensure the safety of its people.
Experts suggest that the soaring temperatures pose a high risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly for vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, and individuals with chronic health conditions. For the general public, moderate health concerns are anticipated, although the heat remains tolerable, they stated.
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