Rain Brings Respite to Himachal, Temperature Drops by 5°C; Yellow Alert for Heavy Rain on June 20–21

Shimla, June 15:
After weeks of intense heat and dry conditions, residents across Himachal Pradesh finally received relief on Sunday as widespread rainfall swept through the state, bringing a sharp dip in temperatures and a much-needed change in weather. Overcast skies in the morning gave way to showers by afternoon, cooling down the atmosphere and lifting spirits across the region.

Several parts of the state—including Shimla, Sirmaur, Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, Una, Bilaspur, Manali, and Dalhousie—recorded light to moderate rainfall. The change brought life back to the streets, with people stepping out to enjoy the fresh, pleasant weather. Notably, Sirmaur’s towns like Nahan, Paonta Sahib, and Dhaula Kuan received significant showers, leading to a marked drop in local temperatures.

According to the Shimla Meteorological Centre, the average minimum temperature across the state fell by 2.2°C on Sunday, while in some areas, the maximum temperature declined by up to 5°C. Una, for example, saw its peak temperature drop from 42.2°C on Saturday to 39.8°C. In Dhaula Kuan, the mercury fell by 5.1°C, settling at 32°C.

Other recorded highs included:

• Bilaspur: 35.4°C

• Hamirpur: 36.2°C

• Kangra: 35.4°C

• Mandi: 35.8°C

• Shimla: 27°C

• Dalhousie: 25°C

• Manali: 26.7°C

• Kalpa: 22.4°C

• Keylong: 21.9°C

Forecast and Alerts

The Meteorological Department predicts continued cloud cover across Himachal from June 16 to 19, with chances of scattered showers accompanied by thunder and gusty winds (40–50 km/h). A yellow alert has been issued due to the possibility of lightning during this period. However, no warning for heavy rain has been issued for these four days, and only light to moderate rainfall is expected in some areas.

Looking ahead, the weather is expected to become more active on June 20 and 21, with the department issuing a yellow alert for heavy rainfall on both days. These dates are likely to mark the onset of pre-monsoon activity in Himachal. If the forecasted rain intensifies, it could bring complete relief from the ongoing heatwave.

Following this, the southwest monsoon is expected to enter Himachal Pradesh around June 21, ushering in more regular and widespread rainfall. This would not only further lower temperatures but also provide favorable conditions for farmers to begin fieldwork.

The shift in weather marks a welcome transition toward the monsoon season, promising both environmental relief and agricultural benefit for the state.