Met issues warning for hail, thunderstorm

Shimla, February 19

The local MeT office today issued yellow warning of thunderstorm, lightning and hailstorm at isolated places in mid hills from February 21 to 23 and in lower hills on February 23 and predicted rains and snow at isolated places in the higher hills from February 21 to 25.

A fresh feeble western disturbance was likely to affect the Western Himalayan region from February 20 and another western disturbance was likely to affect the Western Himalayan region from February 22, the MeT office said.

Meanwhile, the weather remained dry in the region and chilly winds swept Shimla and surrounding areas under partially overcast sky. There was no significant change in minimum temperature and Keylong and Kalpa in tribal Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts recorded a low of -6.6°C and -0.5 °C while Manali shivered at 1.8 °C, followed by Kufri 3.8 °C.

The maximum temperatures stayed four to nine degrees above normal and Una was hottest with 27.8 °C. Due to scanty rains and dry weather, the rain deficit has increased to 66 per cent from January 1 to February 19. — TNS