Himachal Pradesh experiences coldest and wettest May in 36yrs
Shimla, May 10
The Indian Meteorological department has reported that the first nine days of May 2023 in the state of Himachal Pradesh were the coldest and wettest compared to the same period in 1987, almost 36 years ago. The minimum temperatures in the abode of the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in Dharamshala and the headquarters of Lahaul Spiti district in Keylong were the coldest ever recorded in May. The minimum temperature in Dharamshala on May 1 and 8, 2023, was 8.4 degrees, breaking the record of 8.7 degrees on May 6, 2009. Similarly, Keylong was recorded at minus 2.6 degrees on May 9, 2023, breaking the record of minus 1.6 degrees on May 2, 2019. It is worth noting that the minimum temperature of Keylong was also minus two degrees on May 8, 2023.
The state of Himachal Pradesh experienced appreciably to markedly below normal maximum and minimum temperatures, and such a range of temperatures was previously recorded in 1987, according to an IMD press release. The two international destinations of the state, which witness the highest footfall of tourists during the summer and winter seasons, recorded an average maximum temperature at Shimla from May 1 to May 9, 2023, around 12.4-22.4 degrees and a minimum temperature of 8.4 to 12.2 degrees, compared to 10.1 to 17.6 degrees and 1.8 to 8 degrees in 1987.
Also read: Weather update: Shimla records 57 cms snow heaviest in past many years
Similarly, during the same period, the average maximum and minimum temperatures of Manali were 11.4 to 19.4 degrees and 5.0 to 10.8 degrees, respectively, from May 1 to May 9, 2023, compared to 12 to 22.7 degrees and 5.5 to 9.6 degrees in 1987. The regional headquarters of Kinnuar, Kalpa, recorded temperatures of 8.4 to 18.2 degrees and 0.5 to 6.8 degrees in 2023, compared to 8.0 to 12.5 degrees and minus 2 to two degrees in 1987.
Dharmshala recorded an average maximum temperature of 17.2 to 27 degrees and an average minimum temperature of 8.4 to 14.8 degrees, compared to 18.7 to 26.9 degrees and 10.1 to 15 degrees in 1987. Similarly, the foothill town of Una recorded an average maximum temperature of 22.2 to 36 degrees and an average minimum temperature of 15.4 to 18 degrees in 2023, compared to 25 to 32 degrees and 14.8 to 19.7 degrees in 1987. The Palampur in Kangra district recorded an average maximum temperature of 16.5 to 25.6 degrees and an average minimum temperature of 10 to 13.5 degrees in 2023, compared to 17.6 to 20.3 degrees and 9.9 to 13.8 degrees in 1987.
The average minimum and maximum temperatures were appreciably below normal during the period, as the highest maximum temperature recorded during this period was 36 degrees on May 8, 2023.
The IMD attributed the sudden decline of temperature in the month of May 2023 to frequent western disturbances in the early summer season. The state witnessed fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and gust
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