Weather turns pleasant after rain

Tribune Reporters

Shimla, April 22

The mercury plummeted across Himachal as the region experienced widespread rain and high-altitude tribal areas had mild snowfall, providing much-needed relief from scorching heat to people in lower hills.

Shimla and the surrounding areas were lashed by a thunderstorm followed by sharp showers while lower and mid hills had widespread rain. Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti received 22 mm rain and mild snowfall causing a sharp fall in mercury.

Amb and Bijhali were the wettest with 23 mm rain while Ghumarwin and Sundernagar had 19 mm rain, followed by Kumarsein and Kalpa 18 mm, Pandoh 15 mm, Jhandutta and Bajaura 14 mm, Sarahan 12mm and Mandi 11 mm.

Mercury dropped by 8.2 degree from 42.2 degree to 34 degree at Una while the state capital recorded a minimum temperature of 11.3 degree against 18.2 degree yesterday.

The local MeT office has predicted rain or thundershowers at isolated places in mid and lower hills and rain or snow in higher hills over the next four days due to fresh western disturbances.

Respite for Una

Una: Strong winds accompanied by thunder showers early on Saturday morning brought respite from the intense heat wave prevailing in the region. The sky remained overcast throughout the morning.

More rainfall is predicted in the region in the coming days. While there have been no reports of any major damage due to the stong winds and thunder showers, most parts of the region remained without power in the wee hours of the day.