Chill returns after widespread rain in state

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 17

Wintery conditions were revived in mid and higher hills of the state as mercury dropped sharply following widespread rain, which was accompanied by fierce winds.

The minimum temperatures dropped by two to five degrees. Keylong was the coldest at night with a low of 1.8°C while Kalpa and Manali shivered at 3.3°C and 6.8°C. Minimum temperature dropped to 9°C at Shimla, followed by Dharamsala 10.2°C, Palampur 12°C, Bhuntar 12.2°C, Solan 12.4°C, Sundernagar 14.2°C and Una 15°C.

Stormy conditions prevailed in the region and intermittent rains, accompanied by heavily overcast sky, forced residents to stay indoors.

Dalhousie was wettest in the region with 61 mm rain while, Kangra, Dharamsala and Kufri received 42 mm, 39 mm and 31 mm rain. Jawali recorded 26 mm rain, followed by Shimla 23 mm, Manali and Kharapatthar 25 mm, Bhuntar 20 mm, Rajgarh and Baghi 18 mm, Mehre and Pachhad 16 mm, Sundernagar and Solan 14 mm, Dharampur and Sarahan 12 mm and Mashobra 11 mm.

The maximum day temperatures decreased by five to six degrees. Una was the hottest with a high of 25.4°C while Nahan, Sundernagar and Solan recorded maximum temperatures at 24.9°C, 18.2°C and 17.8°C, followed by Dharamsala 16.4°C, Palampur 15.4°C, Shimla 12.4°C, Manali 11.2°C, Kalpa 9.7°C and Keylong 5.5°C.

The local Met office has predicted rain or thundershowsers in mid and lower hills and rain or snow in upper reaches on Thursday and dry weather thereafter.