Heavy rains lash Shimla

Shimla, Aug 19 (UNI) Heavy rains lashed Shimla and other adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh this afternoon even as the lower and medium hills of the state had respite from the wet conditions for the second day today, the met office said.

Heavy rains lashed the state capital and other adjoining areas for more than an hour this afternoon after a day's respite from the monsoon rains yesterday.

Roads and markets wore a deserted look during the downpour with people seeking shelter from the rain in shops, rain shelters and the Shimla Municipal Corporation building on The Mall here.

The met office said all mid and lower hills of the state received no rainfall during the last 24 hrs till 0830 hrs.

However, the sun was shining brightly in the twin tribal districts of Kinnuar and Lahaul-Spiti at about 1400 hrs and official sources said the high altitude areas of the districts recorded mild snowfall a few days ago.

Shimla recorded a night temperature of 17.7 degrees, while Sundernagar and Bhuntar recorded minimum temperatures of 22.7 and 19.3 degree Celsius.

The minimum temperature recorded at Kalpa in Kinnuar district was 13.5 degrees.

The met office has predicted light rains or thundershowers at isolated places in the state during the next 24 hrs.

UNI AS MQA DS1622