At 44.2 degrees Celsius, Una hottest in Himachal Pradesh

Most places in the lower hills of Himachal Pradesh reeled under scorching sun and Una in Shiwalik foothills recorded a high of 44.2 degrees Celsius.

The mercury breached 44.0 degrees Celsius mark at some places in the lower hills and Bilaspur and Hamirpur recorded a high of 41.4 degrees Celsius and 40.1 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Sundernagar recorded a maximum temperature of 38.9 degrees Celsius, followed by Nahan 37.8 degrees Celsius, Bhuntar 36.6 degrees Celsius, Solan 34.8 degrees Celsius, Dharamshala and Palampur 33.2 degrees Celsius, Shimla 28.8 degrees Celsius, Manali 24.8 degrees Celsius, Kalpa 23.0 degrees Celsius and Keylong 18.5 degrees Celsius.

Nahan was hottest during the night with a minimum temperature at 26.3 degrees Celsius.

Dharamshala recorded a low of 22.4 degrees Celsius while Palampur and Una recorded the minimum temperatures at 19.4 degrees Celsius and 19.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 18.2 degrees Celsius, Solan 17.4 degrees Celsius, Sundernagar 16.1 degrees Celsius, Bhuntar 12.7 degrees Celsius, Kalpa 8.4 degrees Celsius, Manali 7.8 degrees Celsius and Keylong 6.5 degrees Celsius.

The MeT office here has predicted dry weather in the lower hills till May 30 and rains and thunderstorms may occur at isolated placed from May 31 onwards.

The rise in temperature has triggered forest fires across the state while drying of water sources has created acute water shortage in five districts of Himachal Pradesh.