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Shimla, May 27
Himachal Pradesh continued to reel under intense heatwave conditions on Wednesday as the Meteorological Centre Shimla forecast a likely respite from the prevailing hot weather with rain and thunderstorm activity expected across many parts of the state from May 28 onwards under the influence of a fresh western disturbance.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts for thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorm and gusty winds in several districts on May 28 and 29.
An orange alert has been issued for Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts on May 28, while Sirmaur district is also likely to witness severe weather activity on May 29.
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The warning includes thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds blowing at speeds of 40 to 50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, besides hailstorm activity at isolated places.
The weather office has also issued a yellow alert for adjoining districts where light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds are likely at isolated places during the next two days.
According to the forecast, rain and thunderstorm activity is likely at many places in the state, while a few areas could witness more widespread rainfall, which may provide some relief to people from the prevailing heatwave conditions.
The prolonged dry spell and soaring temperatures have sharply escalated the incidents of forest fires across the hill state. Several forest fire incidents have already been reported from Kasauli,
Dharampur and adjoining forest areas in recent days, where firefighting operations had to be intensified with the deployment of Indian Air Force helicopters.
The continuing heat conditions have also renewed concerns over accelerated glacier melting, land subsidence and formation of glacial lakes in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh.
Experts have warned that rising temperatures in the Himalayan region are increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods, posing a serious threat to roads, bridges and hydroelectric infrastructure in vulnerable tribal and mountainous areas.
According to the IMD bulletin, dry weather prevailed across the state during the last 24 hours and maximum temperatures at many places remained 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal.
The weather office has advised residents, tourists and farmers to remain cautious during thunderstorm and lightning activity and follow advisories issued by local authorities.
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