Hail, rain lash Shimla areas

Shimla, April 8

A severe hailstorm followed by downpour lashed Shimla and the surrounding areas on Sunday bringing normal life to a halt. The vehicular traffic and power supply in the capital were badly hit. The hailstorm resulted in thick fog which reduced the visibility.

Roads were flooded with water and drains in the town started overflowing. Shopkeepers at Mall Road had a tough time in stopping the water from entering their shops.

However, the silver lining is that the rain would recharge the water sources and reduce the rain deficit which stood at 67 per cent during the post-monsoon season from March 1 to April 8. Himachal received 43.7 mm of rain against the normal rainfall of 132.8 mm.

Sarkaghat with 56 mm of rain was the wettest followed by Bharari 36 mm, Aghar 31 mm, Baijnath 18 mm, Bijahi 15 mm, Jhanjehli and Mandi 10 mm each, Dharamsala 9 mm, Kasauli 7 mm, Shimla 6 mm, Mehre and Palampur 5 mm each. — TNS