Fresh rain, hailstorms and snowfall across Himachal Pradesh have resulted in a significant temperature decline, providing relief to both the tourism and farming sectors.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast further rain and thunderstorm activity over the coming days.
Shobhit Katiyar, speaking to ANI in Shimla on Monday, reported that rainfall and snowfall were recorded in nearly all districts of the state during the previous 24 hours. “In the last 24 hours, we have seen rain and snowfall in almost all districts of Himachal Pradesh. Light to moderate rainfall was recorded in the lower and mid-hill regions. Shimla district received around 29.5 mm rainfall while Mandi recorded around 23 mm,” he said.
The IMD’s morning weather bulletin listed significant rainfall at various stations, including Salooni (32 mm), Sarahan (29.5 mm), Bhabanagar (29 mm), Rampur (28 mm), Kataula (23.4 mm), Bhattiyat (23.1 mm), Manali (22 mm) and Bharmour (20.5 mm). Fresh snowfall was also reported in higher reaches, with Khadrala in Shimla district receiving approximately 10.2 cm, Kalpa 6.4 cm, Gondhla and Jot about 3 cm each, and Kukumseri 1.5 cm.
Thunderstorm and lightning were observed in areas such as Shimla, Kufri, Jubberhatti, Kangra and Sundernagar, and a hailstorm took place in the Shimla district. Katiyar noted that these weather events have caused a noticeable drop in temperatures across the state.
“There has been an appreciable fall in minimum temperatures and a marked fall in maximum temperatures across most stations in the last 24 hours. Temperatures are currently slightly below normal in many areas and will remain so for the next 24 hours,” he stated.
IMD data showed that Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 4.4 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 17.2 degrees Celsius, Manali a minimum of 2.9 degrees Celsius, and Dharamshala 8.7 degrees Celsius. The lowest minimum temperature in the state was at Tabo in Lahaul-Spiti at minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, while Nahan recorded the highest maximum temperature at 28.7 degrees Celsius.
Katiyar explained that the current weather pattern is expected to continue due to the influence of western disturbances. “The effect of the present system is still visible in Himachal Pradesh, and thunderstorm activity may continue in districts like Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, Mandi and Kullu. On March 17, the activity may reduce slightly, but a fresh and active western disturbance is approaching the region,” he said.
The IMD indicated that the new western disturbance will affect northwest India from the night of March 17, with impacts expected in Himachal Pradesh between March 18 and March 21. “On March 19 and 20, light rainfall and thunderstorm activity are likely in many parts of the state and snowfall is expected in some higher reaches,” Katiyar added.
Consequently, the IMD issued an Orange Alert for March 18 and 19 for hailstorm and thunderstorm activity across several districts, including Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Kangra and Sirmaur.
Katiyar also mentioned that recent rainfall has significantly improved the state’s rainfall deficit, which had reached nearly 98 per cent earlier in March and is expected to improve further with the approaching weather system.