Rain, hailstorm lash Shimla

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 27

A thunderstorm and hailstorm lashed Shimla and its surrounding areas, followed by rain even as lower hills of the state continued to reel under scorching heat.

The local meteorology office has issued a yellow warning of thundershowers with lightning and gusty winds (with speed of 30 to 40 kmph) in mid and lower hills from May 28 to May 30 and predicted thundershowers and rains in lower and mid hills and rains and snow in higher hills from May 28 to June 2.

The hailstorm caused extensive damage to the apple crop. Growers are on the tenterhooks following the warning of thunderstorm and squall over the next 72 hours.

Shimla received 16 mm rains followed by Kharapathar with 12 mm, Saloni 8 mm, Bharmaur 7 mm, Bilaju 6 mm, Dalhousie 5 mm and Kalpa 4 mm.

The lower hills had no respite from scorching heat and Una was the hottest with a high of 43.2°C, followed by Bilaspur with 40.2°C, Sundernagar 38.1 °C, Nahan 36.3 °C, Solan 35.2 °C, Dharamsala 32.8°C, Shimla 26.2°C, Kalpa 23.3°C and Keylong 18.1°C.