Shimla, May 19 – The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for five districts and a yellow alert for seven others in Himachal Pradesh, warning of heavy rain, hailstorms, and thunderstorms across the region on Sunday.
The day began with early morning storms and heavy showers in Kangra district, where strong winds at speeds of up to 60 km/h led to widespread power outages in multiple localities. In Shimla, dense cloud cover turned the skies dark by morning, signalling a dramatic shift in weather conditions.
Districts Under Orange Alert:
Kullu
Mandi
Shimla
Solan
Sirmaur
These regions are likely to witness intense hailstorms, potentially causing additional damage to crops that have already suffered due to erratic weather patterns over the past weeks.
High Winds Forecast Statewide
The IMD has predicted wind speeds of 40–60 km/h, posing risks of falling trees, landslides, and further disruption in rural connectivity. People have been advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel during the alert period.
Heatwave Ends as Storm Moves In
The changing weather has brought some relief from the heatwave-like conditions recorded over the past week. On Sunday, 13 cities across Himachal registered maximum temperatures exceeding 35°C, making it the hottest day of the season so far.
Una recorded a scorching 41°C
Bhuntar (Kullu) soared to 36.3°C, 4.6°C above normal
Kangra reached 37.8°C
Dharamshala reported 35°C, 3.8°C above average
Cooler Weather at Tourist Destinations
While lower regions experienced intense heat, popular tourist destinations in the hills remained pleasantly cool:
Shimla – 27.0°C
Manali – 28.0°C
Dalhousie – 25.7°C
Kufri – 21.4°C
Narkanda – 21.2°C
Forecast for Coming Days
The IMD has indicated that isolated rainfall and thunderstorms may continue on Monday, but the weather is expected to stabilize by Tuesday. Tourists and residents are advised to remain cautious in light of the strong winds and the risk of hailstorms.
Local authorities are coordinating with disaster response teams to monitor developments and ensure quick responses in case of damage.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
