Shimla lashed by severe thunderstorm, rain

Shimla and surrounding areas were lashed by a severe thunderstorm accompanied by intermittent rainfall and hail while high altitude tribal areas and other higher reaches had another spell of moderate snowfall causing sharp fall in mercury.

Dark convective clouds overcast the sky, reducing the visibility and vehicles had to move at snail's pace with headlights on even during the day time. Strong winds, lightening and intermittent showers forced the tourists and locals to stay indoors.

Rohtang Pass, gateway to tribal Lahaul valley was closed again as the pass recorded 40 cm of snow while Marhi, Koksar, Sisu, Gondla, Keylong and Udaipur had 20 cm, 15 cm, 12 cm, 7 cm, 5 cm and 2 cm of fresh snow.

Widespread rains lashed mid and lower hills and Udaipur was wettest in the region with 23 mm rains while Mandi and Bhuntar recorded 19 mm rains, followed by Sujanpur Tira 17 mm, Seobagh 16 mm, Dalhousie 12 mm, Manali and Bajura 11 mm, Dharamsala and Chamba 9 mm , Kalpa and Kangra 8 mm, Jogindernagar, Gohar and Saloni 7 mm, Bharmaur and Solan 5 mm , Shimla, Sundernagar, Dalhousie, Palampur and Bhoranj 4 mm and Nadaun, Kasauli and Pooh 2 mm.

The maximum temperatures dropped by three to five degrees and Una was hottest with a high of 34.2 degrees, followed by Nahan 30 degree, Solan and Dharamsala 26.5 degree, Sundernagar 26.0 degree,Palampur 25.3 degree, Shimla 21.6 degree, Bhuntar 16.5 degree, Kalpa 9.8 degree and Keylong 2.1 degree C.

The minimum temperatures fluctuated marginally and Keylong, Manali and Kalpa recorded a low of minus 0.3 degree, 3 .0 degree and 3.6 degree, followed by Shimla 10.8 degree, Bhuntar 11.2 degree, Dharamsala 12.2 degree,Palampur 13.0 degree, Solan and Sundernagar 13.4 degree, Una 17.2 degree and Nahan 17.5 degree.

The local MeT office has predicted dry weather in the lower hills for next five days upto April 25, rains and thunder showers in mid hills and rains or snow in higher hills tomorrow and dry weather from April 22.

The stormy conditions are causing anxiety to farmers as rain, storm and snow during this period is damaging for stone fruit, apple and wheat crops.