Rain, gusty winds provide relief from scorching heat

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 17

Thunderstorm accompanied by rains and gusty winds lashed several parts of Himachal providing much needed relief from sultry heat. The maximum temperatures dropped by few notches after rains. Una was the hottest in the region with a high of 39.7 degree.

The local MeT office has warned of thunderstorm accompanied by hailstorm and gusty winds with speed up to 40-50 Kmph in lower and mid hills today and tomorrow and predicted rains and thunder showers in mid and lower hills and rains or snow in higher hills on June 18 and 19.

The weather turned pleasant after rains. Thousands of tourists who made a beeline to Shimla and other key summer tourist destination to escape the scorching sun enjoyed the weather. The rains also helped douse forest fires and officials of forest department heaved a sigh of relief. However, the thunder storm and rains are harmful for fruit and vegetable crops.

The mercury stayed at 38 degree at Solan while Kangra, Nahan and Sundernagar recorded a high of 35.2 degree, followed by Bhuntar 32.5 degree, Shimla 26.5 degree, Kalpa 21.6 degree and Keylong 20.2 degree.

The minimum temperatures dropped in tribal areas and other higher hills. Keylong and Kalpa in tribal Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts recorded a low of 5.0 degree and 6.7 degree, followed by Manali 10.0 degree, Bhuntar 14.5 degree, Shimla 16.7 degree, Solan 18.6 degree, Dharamsala 18.8 degree, Nahan 20.0 degree and Una 23.2 degree. The weather would remain dry in the region from June 19 onwards.