Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], April 29 : As rain continues to lash accompanied by snowfall in higher ranges in Himachal Pradesh, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued an Orange alert for Monday.
The temperatures have dropped by 3 to four degrees Celsius as per data available from IMD Himachal Pradesh. 49 roads including 3 National Highways are closed due to snow in higher mountains. The IMD has forecast that the weather will improve from tomorrow.
Surender Paul, head of IMD HP said, "The western disturbance has been active in Himachal Pradesh since the 27th of April, there has been rain and snowfall in the state. The higher reaches of Shimla, Chamba, Sirmaur, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur received fresh snowfall. In Koksar and Hansa snowfall was recorded, it is snowing near Atal Tunnel in Kullu it is expected to increase by late evening. Due to the western disturbance snow, rain, hailstorms and thunderstorms have been recorded owing to which the temperatures have dropped by three to four degrees Celsius."
He further said that on May 4 and 5 further hailstorms have been predicted in the state but they will not be very strong.
He further said, "The weather will improve after tomorrow and another western disturbance is approaching the state. On May 4 and 5 there will be a hailstorm in the state but it will not be so strong. Till May 15 there will not be any rise in the temperatures as two more western disturbances will approach during this period in the state. The orange alert for snow and rain will continue today in most of the parts of the state. The temperature in Shimla is nearly 12 degrees Celsius the minimum temperature is more than normal and the maximum temperature is 22 degrees Celcius. From tomorrow the maximum temperature will rise."