Himachal Pradesh Braces for Heat Wave: High Temperatures Expected in Seven Districts

Residents of the lower hills in Himachal Pradesh experienced intense heat on Saturday, with local meteorological authorities issuing a warning for a potential heat wave across several districts on Sunday. The state, known for its picturesque tourist destinations such as Shimla, Dharamsala, Manali, and Narkanda, saw temperatures soaring 2 to 6.4 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. Shimla recorded a high of 30 degrees Celsius, Dharamsala 36.1 degrees, Manali 28.6 degrees, and Narkanda 24.2 degrees Celsius.

Neri in Hamirpur district topped the charts as the hottest place in the state with a staggering 44.1 degrees Celsius, closely followed by Una at 43.6 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department has forecasted heat waves in isolated areas of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, Sirmaur, Kangra, and Shimla districts over the next 24 hours. Additionally, a yellow alert for thunderstorms and lightning has been issued for Sunday.

According to Surender Paul, Director of the Meteorological Department, rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is anticipated in the high hills of the state on Sunday. Keylong reported the lowest temperature at a chilly 5.7 degrees Celsius, while Neri and Paonta Sahib experienced lows of 27.5 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius respectively.

The weather department also predicts possible rains or snowfall in the higher reaches from May 19-21. Over the next two days, temperatures in the low hills are expected to rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius but remain within or above normal ranges. Conversely, the minimum temperature in the high hills might drop by 2-3 degrees over the next few days, staying below normal.

Humidity levels are also a concern, with forecasts indicating a range of 30 to 85 percent over catchment areas of rivers and lakes and between 25 to 75 percent in other parts of the state for the next three to four days. This fluctuation in weather conditions highlights the diverse climatic patterns Himachal Pradesh experiences and underscores the importance of staying informed about weather alerts.