Anurag Kumar
Temperatures fell to record lows in parts of Himachal Pradesh, including the state capital Shimla, on Tuesday, as the state received heavy rain in response to an orange alert and light snowfall in the higher elevations.
The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted that the wet phase will continue until June 4. “An orange alert has been issued for thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms, and winds gusting to 40 kilometers per hour,” said Surender Paul, director of the IMD centre in Shimla.
In the month of May, the nighttime temperature in Shimla fell by more than five degrees to 9.9°C, the lowest in the past 14 years. In May 2009, the nighttime temperature in the state capital dropped below this level for the last time.
The cold weather compelled people to don woolens, particularly students, office workers, and vacationers.
The statewide minimum temperature dropped by 3°C to 7°C. Nahan, which is typically one of the hottest cities in Himachal Pradesh during the summer months of May and June, recorded the largest drop of 6.5°C.
Keylong was the coolest at 5°C, followed by Narkanda at 6.4°C and Kukumseri at 6.6°C. Kalpa was the warmest at 7°C, followed by Kufri at 7.7°C, Dalhousie at 10.5°C, Palampur at 13.5°C, and Dharamshala at 24.4°C.
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According to data from the meteorological office, the state has experienced 325 percent more rainfall than normal over the past week. In the seven days leading up to May 30, it received an average of 54.9 millimeters of precipitation, compared to the average of 12.9 millimeters. This month, the state received 109.8 mm of rainfall as opposed to the average of 61.2 mm.
Since Monday night, Jubbarhatti has received the most precipitation with 42.4mm, Mandi 36.4mm, Nahan 39.8mm, and Solan 34.2mm. Dharamshala received 33 millimeters of precipitation, Shimla 32.2 millimeters, Chamba 27.5 millimeters, Mashobra and Narkanda 26 millimeters, Dhaulakuan 25 millimeters, and Bharmour 20 millimeters.
