Shimla, June 16
The Meteorological Center in Shimla has issued an orange warning for hailstorms, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in five districts of Himachal Pradesh on June 18, as a fresh western disturbance is expected to affect north-west India later this week.
According to the weather office, a warning has been issued for the Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla districts. Gusty winds at 40 to 50 kmph are also likely at isolated places during the period.
The Met Office has additionally issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds in five to ten districts between June 17 and June 20. Officials said the state is likely to witness a prolonged wet spell until June 22 due to the incoming western disturbance.
Several parts of the hill state recorded unstable weather conditions over the past 24 hours. Hailstorms were reported from Shimla, Kinnaur, Mandi, Chopal and Rampur, while thunderstorms and lightning activity occurred in areas including Shimla, Jubberhatti, Kangra, Sundernagar, Jot, Murari Devi and Kufri.
Light to moderate rainfall was also recorded across many parts of the state. Gohar recorded the highest rainfall at 44.6 mm, followed by Jot at 41 mm and Kufri at 39.6 mm. Bhattiyat recorded 38.1 mm of rainfall, while Nagrota Suriyan received 35.6 mm.
Other areas that received rainfall included Pachhad (24 mm), Olinda (23.4 mm), Shilaroo (18.8 mm), Sundernagar (17.9 mm), Shimla (13.4 mm), Kangra (10.9 mm), and Mandi (5 mm).
Meanwhile, Kukumseri remained the coldest place in the state at night with a minimum temperature of 5.3 degrees Celsius. Una recorded the highest daytime temperature at 36.4 degrees Celsius.
Authorities are expected to closely monitor the weather, as rain and hail may affect transport and agricultural operations in several districts over the coming days.
