Shimla, April 20: In a dramatic twist to the weather, heavy rain and hailstorm lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, including the state capital Shimla, pulling down temperatures and bringing back a wintry chill. As skies remained overcast since morning, afternoon rain and strong winds gave way to hail showers, surprising both locals and tourists.
Shimla’s iconic streets turned slippery, while tourists scrambled to buy sweaters and jackets as temperatures dipped sharply. The maximum temperature fell below the seasonal average, transforming the hill station into a sudden cold zone just as summer was expected to set in.
From Scenic Snow to Troubled Fields
While the higher reaches of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Kullu received fresh snowfall—up to 5 cm in Hansa, Lahaul-Spiti—farmers and orchardists faced nature’s wrath. Stormy winds clocking 50 km/h in Tabo and 42 km/h in Kufri were reported by the Meteorological Department.
The untimely hail and rain have wreaked havoc on wheat crops in low-lying areas, many of which were ready for harvest. With the crop lying flattened in fields, farmers now worry about major financial losses. In the hilly districts, apple growers are equally concerned, as the flowering stage of the crop has been disturbed. Hail has led to the premature dropping of apple blossoms, potentially affecting both yield and fruit quality.
Official Rainfall and Weather Stats
Notable rainfall measurements across the state include:
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Kothi (Kullu): 30 mm
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Keylong: 10 mm
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Pooh: 9 mm
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Kukumseri: 8 mm
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Manali: 6 mm
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Sangla: 4 mm
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Kangra, Dharamshala, Bharmour: 3 mm each
These numbers signal significant precipitation in mid and upper hill regions, making conditions difficult for agricultural and tourist activities alike.
Weather Alert and Forecast
The Meteorological Center in Shimla has issued an orange alert for heavy hailstorm and a yellow alert for lightning and strong winds (40–50 km/h) for Sunday night. However, relief is on the horizon.
“From April 21, the western disturbance will begin to weaken, leading to an improvement in weather,” said Sandeep Sharma, a scientist at the Meteorological Center.
Rain and snowfall may continue in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, and Lahaul-Spiti over the next 24 hours, but clear skies are expected across the state from April 22 to 24, offering much-needed relief to residents, farmers, and tourists alike.
As Himachal navigates this bout of unseasonal spring turbulence, eyes are now set on the skies—hoping for sunshine to return and damage control to begin.
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