Himachal sees sharp fall in mercury

Several parts of Himachal Pradesh today received moderate to heavy rains while a thunderstorm lashed Shimla and its surrounding areas, causing a sharp fall in mercury.
"No fresh fire incident was reported from any part of the state and the rains in lower hills have come as a big relief," S P Vasudeva, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, said.
Sky remained heavily overcast in Shimla, reducing visibility to a few meters. A thunderstorm lashed the town and surrounding areas in the evening.
Shimla received 17 mm of rains, bringing down the maximum and minimum temperatures to 23.3 degrees and 10.4 degrees respectively, four notches below normal.

Maximum temperatures dropped by a few notches with Una, which was hottest in the region, recording a high of 37.2 degrees against yesterday's 40 degrees.
Tourist resorts of Manali and Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur district recorded maximum temperatures at18.6 degrees and 16.4 degrees Ceslsius.

Nahan and Sundernagar recorded maximum temperature at 34.3 degrees and 32.2 degrees while Solan recorded a high of 28.0 degrees Celsius.
Minimum temperatures also dropped marginally and Keylong was coldest with a low of 3.4 degrees. Kalpa and Manali recorded night temperatures at 5.4 degrees and 6.6 degrees celsius.
The local MeT office has predicted rains or thundershowers in mid and higher hills over the next six days and dry weather in the lower hills for next five days.