The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for hailstorms in parts of Himachal Pradesh as a fresh western disturbance approaches the region, signalling a spell of intensified weather activity.
Speaking to ANI, Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Senior Scientist at IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Shimla, said the state had remained mostly dry over the past 24 hours, but conditions are expected to change later in the day.
“During the last 24 hours, the weather remained mostly clear across Himachal Pradesh. However, from this evening, a weather system will start impacting the state,” he said.
Sharma added that a new western disturbance is likely to reach the state by late night, affecting several districts including Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Bilaspur and Shimla. Light rain may begin in isolated areas by evening and is expected to intensify overnight.
According to IMD, an orange alert has been issued for hailstorms in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts, with a possibility of thunderstorms as well.
“An orange alert has been issued for hailstorm in Chamba, Kangra and Shimla districts,” Sharma said, adding that Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla may also experience hailstorm activity along with thunderstorms.
He further noted that the weather system will have a wider impact on April 17, when light to moderate rainfall is likely at isolated places across Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur. Thunderstorms are also expected in several areas.
Plains and mid-hill districts have also been placed under an orange alert for thunderstorm and lightning activity.
Weather conditions are expected to gradually improve after April 18, though cloud cover and light rain may persist in mid-hill regions such as Kangra, Kullu and Mandi. Another spell of rainfall is likely between April 20 and 21, after which clearer conditions are expected.
On temperatures, Sharma said maximum temperatures have risen across the state and are currently above normal by 2–3 degrees Celsius.
“Kangra recorded around 30°C, while Shimla recorded around 24°C. In districts like Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Kangra, temperatures are hovering around 32°C,” he said, adding that temperatures may rise further by 2–3 degrees in the next 24 hours, with no significant drop expected in the next 48 hours.
IMD also reported that Himachal Pradesh has received about 65% excess rainfall this April. Only Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur have recorded below-normal rainfall, while most other districts have seen normal to above-normal precipitation.
Sharma noted that earlier western disturbances had already triggered hailstorms in vulnerable areas such as Kangra, Mandi, Palampur, and parts of Shimla and Kullu, and similar conditions could recur with the incoming system.