Wet spell in state forecast till May 21
The state is again witnessing a wet spell after a gap of a few days. According to the weather department, there’s a likelihood of light rain at isolated places in mid hills and the possibility of light rain and snow at isolated places in high hills until May 21. For May 19, the department has issued an orange alert for hailstorm, thunderstorm and gusty winds in Una, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts. For some districts, there is a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning, hail and gusty winds on May 18 and 19. A hailstorm can damage horticultural and standing crops.
On Thursday, during late evening hours and night, Shimla and its adjoining places were lashed by a hailstorm and gusty winds. In Bilaspur and Kufri, gusty winds going beyond 50 kmph were recorded. Light to moderate rain was also recorded in Shimla and upper Shimla areas like Kufri, Shilaroo, Sarahan and Rampur.
As per the department, the maximum temperatures are likely to rise gradually by about 2°C or 3°C in some parts of the state in the next two or three days. Thereafter, the maximum temperatures are likely to fall gradually by 3°C or 4°C in some parts of the state. The minimum temperatures are likely to rise by about 2°C in the next two or three days. Thereafter, the minimum temperatures are likely to fall by 2°C or 3°C.