Relief from scorching heat as showers lash parts of Himachal

Strong winds accompanied by sharp showers lashed Shimla and other parts of Himachal Pradesh today, providing much needed relief from scorching heat in the mid and lower hills of the state.
The showers caused a sharp fall in the mercury, and also helped in dousing forest fires that have been raging in the state.
Maximum temperature dropped seven notches from 43 degrees to 36 degrees Celsius at Una today, while Shimla recorded a high of 24 degrees against yesterday's 29.8 degrees Celsius.
Shimla and its adjoining resorts of Kufri, Fagu and Wildflower House were lashed by strong velocity winds accompanied by showers.

Kufri, Shimla and Sundernagar recorded 8 mm, 4 mm and 3mm rains respectively, while Kalpa in Kinnaur district had 1 mm rain.
Nahan, Sundernagar and Solan recorded a high of 33 degrees,32.9 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius respectively, followed by Dharamshala at 29.2 degrees, Bhuntar23.2 degrees, Manali 20.2 degrees and Kalpa 19.8 degrees Celsius.

Minimum temperatures fluctuated marginally and Keylong was coldest during the night with a low of 5.6 degree.
Kalpa and Manali recorded minimum temperatures of 7.8 degrees and 8.2 degrees respectively, followedby Bhuntar at 13 degrees, Dharamsala 16.5 degrees,Shimla 17.8 degrees, Palampur and Solan 18.5 degrees each, Sundernagar 19.5 degrees, Una 24.0 degrees and Nahan 24.9 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Rohtang Pass -- the gateway to the tribal Lahaul Valley -- was opened for heavy vehicles today, subject to the condition that no vehicle would play towards Keylong after 5.00 PM, an official of the Border Roads Organisation said.
The local Met office has predicted rains or thundershowers and hailstorm at isolated places in the state tomorrow and over isolated areas in lower, mid and higher hills over next five days.