Shimla, May 26
Amid scorching temperatures across Himachal Pradesh, the weather is set to witness a major change later this week. The Meteorological Centre Shimla has issued a yellow alert for May 28 and 29, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorm and strong winds with speeds of 40 to 60 kmph in several districts of the state.
According to the MeT department, the activation of a western disturbance is likely to trigger sudden weather changes in the middle and higher hill regions. Districts including Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, Sirmaur and Solan are expected to experience adverse weather conditions.
Meanwhile, heatwave conditions are likely to prevail in Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts on May 26 and 27. The department said temperatures may rise further by two to five degrees Celsius over the next three to four days.
Paonta Sahib remained the hottest place in the state on Monday with a maximum temperature of 42 degrees Celsius. In contrast, Kukumseri and Keylong were the coldest areas, recording a minimum temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius.
The weather department has advised people to avoid standing near trees and electric poles during storms and to avoid unnecessary travel during bad weather conditions.
Among other maximum temperatures recorded were Una 41.6°C, Neri 39.8°C, Sundernagar 38.7°C, Berthin 37.8°C, Mandi 37.6°C, Kangra 37.3°C, Shimla 29.3°C, Tabo 19.5°C, Kalpa 22.4°C, Kufri 23.2°C and Manali 23.8°C.
The department has predicted that heatwave conditions in the plains may intensify over the next two days before the weather changes from May 28 onward.
