A spell of light to moderate rainfall over the past two days has brought much-needed relief from the recent heatwave across Himachal Pradesh, offering a refreshing break to residents across the hill state.
Several areas, including Kufri and nearby regions of Shimla district, witnessed showers accompanied by hail, adding a wintry touch to the otherwise warm season.
According to the Meteorological Centre, the wet spell has led to a noticeable dip in daytime temperatures across districts such as Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, Solan, and Chamba. In many regions, maximum temperatures have fallen below normal levels, easing the earlier spell of intense heat.
Shimla recorded a maximum temperature of around 21.2°C, which is 2.2 degrees below normal. Manali stood at 16.8°C, Dharamsala at 29°C, Mandi at 29.8°C, and Bhuntar at 23.4°C. Even as most areas experienced cooler conditions, Una remained the warmest at 33.4°C, still registering 3.4 degrees below normal.
The rainfall comes after several days of above-normal temperatures across the state, where both mid and lower hill regions had been reeling under rising heat levels.
The Meteorological Department has predicted that the wet spell is likely to continue, with light rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds expected in several parts of the state over the next 24 hours. Isolated regions including Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti may continue to receive light to moderate rainfall in the coming days.
Officials noted that while the rains have improved overall weather conditions, they are also helping restore soil moisture levels. Farmers and horticulturists have welcomed the showers, saying they could benefit standing crops and support the upcoming agricultural cycle.
Overall, the shift in weather has brought significant relief from the heat, with cooler and more comfortable conditions likely to prevail across Himachal Pradesh in the days ahead.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
