Heatwave alert as temperatures soar above normal in Himachal

Shimla: Temperatures remained well above normal across most parts of Himachal Pradesh on Monday, with the weather department issuing a yellow alert for a heatwave in some districts.

Una recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 35°C — 7°C above normal. It was followed by Neri (34.1°C), Sundernagar (33.4°C), Mandi (33.2°C), Kangra (32.1°C), Berthin (31.9°C), Bhuntar (31°C) and Solan (30.2°C).


The maximum temperatures remained 4°C to 9.8°C above normal in the state. The minimum temperatures also remained 1.8°C to 8.7°C above normal.

Kukumseri in Lahaul Spiti recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 2.2°C. The maximum and minimum temperatures at the tourist destinations were also quite high for March. Shimla on Monday recorded a maximum temperature of 24.2°C — 8.4°C above normal, and a minimum temperature of 14.6°C —8°C above normal. Manali was equally warm with a maximum temperature of 24.5°C (7.3°C above normal) and a minimum temperature of 8.5°C (5.7°C above normal).

Dharamshala recorded a maximum temperature of 29.1°C (7.2°C above normal) and a minimum temperature of 10.4°C (0.3 degrees above normal). Kasauli recorded a maximum temperature of 25.5°C and a minimum of 17.1°C. Kalpa in Kinnaur was also quite warm with a maximum temperature of 22.4°C — 11.8°C above normal.

As the mercury continued to rise, the weather department issued a yellow alert for a heatwave in Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Solan districts for March 10. The weather department also predicted the possibility of thunderstorms and gusty winds in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Kinnaur, and Lahaul Spiti on March 11.

Fire breaks out

Meanwhile, a fire broke out in the forests of Bijli Mahadev mountain in Kullu district. A forest department official said the fire was put out before it could spread to other parts of the forests.

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