Shimla: Himachal Pradesh is likely to witness thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds at isolated places in the coming days, offering a glimmer of hope to farmers who have been battling an unusually long dry spell of over 40 days across several parts of the state.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Meteorological Centre Shimla, thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are likely at isolated places during the next few days, while hailstorm activity is also expected at isolated locations during the forecast period.
The latest weather bulletin said that no rainfall or snowfall was recorded anywhere in Himachal during the last 24 hours, with weather conditions remaining completely dry across the state.
Temperatures meanwhile continued to remain above normal, with maximum temperatures rising by 4–7°C at many stations, further aggravating the moisture stress in fields and orchards.
The highest maximum temperature of 32°C was recorded at Una and Paonta Sahib, while Tabo in Lahaul-Spiti remained the coldest at 0.2°C.
Farmers and orchardists across the hill state are growing increasingly worried as the prolonged dry spell is beginning to affect rabi crops, early vegetable cultivation and apple orchards, particularly in mid and high hill areas where soil moisture has sharply declined.
Weather Department says a western disturbance currently influencing northwest India may trigger scattered weather activity in the coming days, bringing much-needed precipitation to the hills.
However, the forecast indicates that rainfall activity may remain scattered and limited, meaning the relief for drought-hit farmers could be partial rather than complete.
