Mild snow and light showers in HP

Shimla, May 16 (UNI) Maximum temperatures across Himachal Pradesh plummeted by two to ten degrees after mild snowfall in higher altitude areas and light to moderate widespread showers in lower areas of the state early today.

The high altitude areas of tribal Lahaul, Spiti and Pangi valleys, Kunzam and Baralacha passes experienced fresh mild snowfall early today after recording one of the hottest day of the summer season this year yesterday with maximum temperature at Una town touching 41 degrees.

The sprawling Dhauladhar Ranges, overlooking the lush green Kangra Valley, also experienced mild snowfall, while the lower areas of the district were lashed by mild to moderate rains, bringing the much-needed respite to the people from the heat conditions.

Sudden early widespread rains followed by heavy sleet and strong velocity winds in apple belts of Shimla, Kullu and Kinnuar districts of the state caused extensive damage to the apple crop, farmers and the sources in the agriculture department said.

Shimla town and the adjoining tourist resorts of Kufri and Wild Flower Hall had rain and sleet followed by gale force winds, causing power disruptions in parts of the town as power lines were knocked down.

Visibility in the town was reduced to zero following thick cloud cover over Shimla sky forcing the residents and the drivers to turn on their lights.

The sky, which was overcast since morning till the first half of the day, cleared out as the day progressed.

Due to heavy rains, the maximum temperatures across the state went down by two to 10 degrees with the maximum at Shimla dropping by almost two degrees to stand at 24.8 degrees as compared to yesterday's high of 26.2 degrees after 5.2 mm of rain up till 1730 hrs.

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