Relief From Scorching Heat In Himachal Pradesh, Light Rains At Many Places Bring Temp Down

People in the lower hills of Himachal Pradesh were in for some relief as maximum temperatures dropped by a few notches following light rains at several places in the state on Tuesday.  
    
Una recorded a high of 37.4 degrees, while Dhaulakuan was the hottest in the region with a maximum of 38.7 degrees Celsius. 
    
Chamba was wettest with 9 mm spots of rain followed by Kusumseri with 6 mm, Shimla and Dalhousie with 5 mm each, Manali with 4 mm, Bharmour with 3.5 mm, Salooni with 3mm, Tissa with 2 mm and Una with 1 mm rainfall. 
    
The sky remained overcast in Shimla and surrounding areas and strong winds accompanied by intermittent rains lashed the area.
    
The local MeT office has issued an 'orange' warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorm, lightning, and hailstorm over plains, and low and mid hills on April 19 and a 'yellow' warning of thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places on April 20 and 21.
    
It also predicted light to moderate rains in plains, lower hills, and mid hills, and light to moderate rains or snowfall on the higher hills on April 19, 20, and 21.
    
The hailstorm and rains are harmful to the crops and cause damage to standing wheat crops, fruit plants, and new plantings due to hailstorm, the MeT office said, advising the growers to take adequate safety measures and follow the advisories and guidelines issued by the departments concerned.
    
The popular tourist destinations of Shimla, Manali, Dharamsala, and Narkanda posted a high of 25.4 degrees, 21 degrees, 28.2 degrees, and 19.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.