Temperatures fall after rains in HP

Shimla, May 2 (UNI) The temperature across Himachal Pradesh dropped by a few degrees today after isolated rains lashed the state since morning.

Heavy rains followed by hailstorms hit Shimla town and other surrounding areas and isolated places in Mandi and Chamba district early today.

The maximum temperature at Shimla town, while receiving 21.5 mm of rain up to 1730 hrs, fell to 17.6 degrees after recording a high of 26 degrees and low of 17.3 degrees respectively.

A report from Mandi said people in the town heaved a sigh of relief with showers this evening after a long spell of scorching heat.

Rains were also followed by hailstorm and thundershowers have caused damage to the standing wheat and other fruit crops.

Isolated places in Chamba district also reported heavy rains followed by hailstorm and thundershowers, plummeting maximum temperatures in the district.

The rain, which started in Shimla town at about 0900 hrs, cooled the state capital, which had recorded high temperatures of over 25 degrees Celsius in the last two consecutive days.

Thick cloud cover had reduced the visibility in the town and drivers were forced to turn on their fog lights while driving.

The famous Mall Road and The Ridge wore a deserted look as tourists and locals remained indoors due to vains.

The continuing dry weather in Himachal had pushed the maximum and minimum temperatures four to five degrees above normal with Una and Bilaspur towns of the state recording temperatures close to 40 degrees in the last few days.

The met office said the maximum temperatures at Sundernagar, Bhuntar and Kalpa in Kinnuar district also tumbled by a few degrees at 26.8, 23.5 and 20 degrees Celsius respectively.

However, the night temperatures continued to remain high at 16.5 degrees at Shimla, 20.4 at Sundernagar, 16 at Bhuntar and 8 degrees at Kalpa.

The meet office has predicted isolated rains at several places in the state during the next 24 hours.

UNI