Met Dept warns of heavy rain, thunderstorm in next 24 hours

Tribune Reporters

Shimla, March 29

The mercury dropped by a few notches across the state as stormy conditions were back today. Mid and lower hills were lashed by rain and thunderstorm, while high-altitude tribal areas received another spell of fresh snowfall.

The local Met office has warned of heavy to very heavy rain and thunderstorm during the next 24 hours and predicted rain and thundershowers in mid and lower hills and rain and snow in higher hills over the next six days, causing anxiety to farmers.

High-altitude tribal areas and mountain passes had fresh snowfall and Keylong recorded 10 cm snow, while Rohtang and Kunzam passes received 30 cm and 25 cm snow.

Heavy rain and thunderstorm lashed mid and lower hills, while Shimla and some other places in higher hills were lashed by sleet.

The sky remained heavily overcast and the region was experiencing intermittent rain since last night causing a sharp fall in the mercury. Key tourist resort of Manali recorded 40 mm rain, while Kalpa received 14 mm rain, followed by Bhuntar 12 mm, Pooh 11 mm, Seobagh 9 mm, Bajaura 7 mm, Baijnath and Gaggal 5 mm, Dharamsala 4 mm and Shimla and Sundernagar 2 mm.

The stormy condition during this part of the year is considered harmful for wheat crop and stone fruit crops which blossom across the state.

Kangra valley shivers

Kangra: After experiencing a spell of sunny weather for a week, the Kangra valley today shivered in cold with sky remaining overcast with dark clouds during the day.

The valley experienced thunderstorm along with drizzle and high velocity winds in the night, which continued till morning, leading to a dip in mercury level.

People preferred to remain indoors, wrapped up in their woolens, and roads were seen almost deserted. Such cold wave conditions are usually unexpected in the end of March.

Director of Kangra airport, KK Sharma, said in the morning, there were high speed winds but during the day, visibility improved and speed of winds moderated.

Both the Spice Jet and Air India flights landed and took off without any hindrance, he said.