Hailstorm, rain lash Shimla, MeT issues orange alert in a few districts of Himachal for next 2 days       

Hailstorm followed by heavy rain struck Shimla on Monday evening, prompting the meteorological department to issue an orange alert for thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds across four to five districts in the state.

Thunderstorms, along with lightning and gusty winds with speeds up to 40-60 kmph, are expected at isolated places in Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi on Tuesday and Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi on Wednesday, the forecast said.

An orange warning for gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kmph has also been issued for the tribal districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Light to moderate rain has affected various parts of the state, with the following rainfall recorded: Dadahu in Sirmaur district received 27.4 mm, followed by Jatton Barrage (21.6 mm), Poanta Sahib (18.8 mm), Bharmour (18 mm), Kasauli and Rajgarh (14 mm each), Solan (8.6 mm), Agahar (5.2 mm), Palampur and Nahan (4.4 mm each), Sundernagar (4 mm), Chhatrari (3.5 mm), and Banjar, Mandi and Kasol (3 mm).

Thunderstorms were witnessed in Kangra, Sundernagar, Bhuntar, Murari Devi and Palampur while gusty winds with wind speeds ranging between 37 and 52 kmph lashed Seobagh, Tabo, Neri and Kotkhai.

Keylong was recorded to be the coldest location at night with a low temperature of 4 degrees Celsius, while Una reached the highest daytime temperature at 39 degrees Celsius.

Rainfall during the ongoing monsoon season from June to September is likely to be above normal in most parts of the state.

The average rainfall expected during this season is 101.1 mm, according to the meteorological department.