Shimla, May 30 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh has been reeling under widespread pre-monsoon showers and thunderstorm activity, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of continued turbulent weather over the next five days.
The department has sounded orange alerts in several districts and yellow alerts in most parts of the state, urging caution for both commuters and farmers.
According to the weather bulletin issued on Friday morning, heavy pre-monsoon rainfall was recorded across various regions.
The highest rainfall was recorded in Rajgarh (70 mm), followed by Ghaghas (47 mm), Jubberhatti (46.1 mm), and Kasauli (40 mm). Several other locations, including Baldwara, Dharampur, Neri, and Shimla received rainfall ranging from 27 mm to 37 mm.
Thunderstorm activity was reported in Shimla, Jubberhatti, Kangra, Bhuntar, Palampur, and Sundernagar. Gusty winds touched 65 kmph in Bilaspur and over 60 kmph in Neri, with other stations including Bajaura and Kukumseri also reporting high wind speeds. A hailstorm was reported in Shimla.
Temperature conditions reflected the impact of cloud cover and rainfall. Keylong recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 4.0°C, while Una remained the hottest at 41.5°C. Several mid-hill stations reported a rise of 2–5°C in maximum temperatures, while higher altitudes stayed closer to normal or slightly below.
The IMD forecasts “fairly widespread to widespread” (FWS) rainfall and thunderstorm activity to continue for the next five days, driven by an active cyclonic circulation over Punjab and the presence of multiple western disturbances across North India. Lightning and gusty winds ranging from 40–60 kmph are expected at isolated places daily during this period.
Farmers have been advised to delay irrigation and pesticide application during this spell, while commuters are urged to exercise caution due to potential landslides, slippery roads, and visibility issues. The IMD has also cautioned about possible disruptions in power and traffic due to gusty winds and fallen trees.
The state is currently under the influence of strong cyclonic and western disturbance systems, setting the stage for the early arrival of the Southwest Monsoon. The monsoon is now expected to reach Himachal Pradesh between June 15 and 17 — nearly 10 days ahead of the usual schedule.
Authorities have been placed on alert, especially in landslide-prone and low-lying areas, as Himachal braces for five more days of unstable weather. The public is encouraged to stay updated through official channels and follow safety advisories.
UNI ML ARN