Shimla, June 5: The lower hills reeled under scorching heat as day temperatures rose by four to six degrees and Shimla experienced the hottest day of the season with mercury breaching the 30.1 degree mark and staying five degree above normal.
Una in the Shivalik foothills also experienced the hottest day of the season with mercury touching 44.8 degree mark, five degree above normal while the maximum temperatures stayed above 30 degrees in most parts of the state except tribal areas and other higher hills.
Kangra groaned under heat wave conditions with a high of 42 degree while Sundernagar, Bhuntar and Nahan recorded a high of 39 degree, 38.2 degree and 37.2 degree C. Solan was hot at 36 degree, followed by Dharamsala 34.2 degree, Shimla 30.1 degree and Kalpa 26 degree C.
The night temperatures also rose by a few notches and Nahan and Una were warmer with a low of 26.9 degree and 25.2 degree, four degree and six degree above normal, forcing people to use fans and air conditioners.
Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district recorded minimum temperatures at 13 degree, six degree above normal while Kalpa recorded a low of 11.6 degree, four degree above normal. The key tourist resort of Manali was the coldest at night with a minimum of 10 degree while Bhuntar was pleasant with mercury staying at 16 degree, followed by Sundernagar 19.6 degree, Shimla 20.7 degree, Dharamsala 21.4 degree and Palampur 22 degree, four to five degree above normal.
The sudden rise in temperatures in higher hills and tribal areas is the cause for concern as it can hasten the process of melting of ice. However, it will prove boon for hydropower project as the rise in discharge of water in snowfed rivers will boost power generation.
Meanwhile, the local MeT office has warned of thunderstorms and hailstorm at isolated places in lower and mid hills over the weekdays and also predicted rain or thunder showers in lower and mid hills and rain or snow in higher hills over the next week from June 6 to June 10. The tourists are making a beeline to famous hill resorts in Himachal as heat wave conditions are intensifying in the plains.
Source Tribune India
